MARK Pike has always wanted to follow in his fathers footsteps by joining the British Army's Parachute Regiment however a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis changed his life.

However, staff at Bluebird Care Mendip near Glastonbury, helped Mark achieve his parachute ambition with the help of the Army Parachute Association at Netheravon.

The staff joined Mark on a Charity Tandem Skydive to help make a lifelong dream a reality.

The tandem skydive also raised money for SSAFA: The Armed Forces Charity.

Mark was joined by first-time skydivers Masen Naidoo and Jenny Atkins, Bluebird Care Mendip Company Director and Compliance Manager respectively, to offer solidarity to Mark and his cause.

After the dive, Mark Pike said: “I’d recommend it to anybody. I think the freefall was my favourite part.

"The views were absolutely amazing.

Somerset County Gazette: Tandem skydive

"Our Armed Forces are incredible. Wherever they are, whatever they’re doing, they don’t sleep, so the likes of us can.”

Masen Naidoo, Bluebird Care Mendip company director, said: “It was an amazing day and especially more so that we were able to assist Mark to achieve one of his life’s ambitions.”

Jenny Atkins, Bluebird Care Mendip compliance manager, added: “It was a privilege to have supported Mark with achieving a life goal of his.

"Despite any fears I might have had about the jump, the reality of facing those fears is something I’ll always be proud of.”

If you feel moved by Mark’s story and wish to support the accomplishment of himself and Bluebird Care Mendip, please click the link below: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bluebirdcaremendipskydive.

Bluebird Care Mendip provide specialised home care visits directly to customer’s homes, with personalised service offerings ranging from check-in visits to full live-in support.

And in this instance, the home care provider was able to extend their support to a customer 13,000 ft. up in the sky.