Kirkcaldy teenager set to make skydive for charity

Arron Reekie will make the leap next week in aid of of the organisation’s youth projects

Arron, (17) first came into contact with the group as a seven year old and he says the organisation provided a support network during difficult times.

He explained: “I attended the Active Kids project, and it was about building relationships with the youth workers.

"Building those relationships and having that safe place to go during the holidays when the schools weren’t on.

“When I was eight my mum passed away, which was really difficult. Through the grieving process, the school was trying to get me mental health support but, even to this day, I wouldn’t accept any help.

“Basically my line of support has been through Kirkcaldy YMCA, it’s just been their youth workers I’ve gone to speak to - I’ve had the same youth worker since the age of seven, and I still go to her.”

Arron began volunteering while in his first year at high school, and this allowed him to pass on his experiences onto those who are in a similar position.

He said: “I feel like when I was wee and growing up, I didn’t have anyone to relate to, which made it difficult.

“To this day, I work with young folk.

"I’m never going to understand how they feel, because everybody feels different but I have some knowledge of what they’re going through.”

Arron says the skydive is also a way to address some of the issues he faces in his own life.

He said: “I picked it because it is a scary experience - it’s just one of those things where it’s something I’m going to have to do there and then.

" I’m not giving myself time to build up or prepare myself. That’s basically what I’m trying to hint at, I need to start opening up more when I’m getting issues”.

My main goal is to raise money for the YM, basically telling funders, telling the public this is why we need youth services, especially in Kirkcaldy”.

You can find Arron’s Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/arron-reekie