ABF supporter and beneficiary, Rowen Johnson, will take on a skydive in memory of her son Harry while raising funds for our charity.
Rowen will jump from 15,000 feet at Sky-High Skydiving Centre in Peterlee, County Durham. The site is where an airborne ceremony was held to scatter some of Harry’s ashes after his death. Harry had been serving in the Army and aspired to earn his parachute wings as a member of the Parachute Regiment. He died while serving in the Army at just 19 years old.
Reflecting on the challenge, Rowen says: “Harry was desperate to complete his jumps and earn his wings. When his ashes were scattered under canopy, it felt like he was finally airborne. After that day, I knew I wanted to do a skydive myself. This is the jump Harry never got the chance to do, so now I’m doing it for him.”
The fundraiser is not only a way for Rowen to honour her son’s memory, but also an opportunity to give back to the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF).
Following Harry’s death, Rowen and her family faced an incredibly difficult period. As a self-employed hairdresser, taking time away from work had an immediate impact on her income, while she and her loved ones were navigating their grief.
During this time, the ABF provided support to help ease some of the financial pressures.
“The ABF stepped in when everything happened and, honestly, I don’t know what we would have done without them”, she says. “Being self-employed, if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. My partner needed to be at home with me and our daughter, and without that support things would have been incredibly difficult financially.
“It wasn’t just the financial help. It was knowing somebody was there for us when we needed it most. That support meant everything, and now I want to give something back.
“The ABF might not be as well-known as some of the larger military charities, but they are often the people quietly helping families like ours behind the scenes. They’re there immediately when support is needed, and I think they’re an amazing charity.”
Inspired by the support her family received, Rowen set up a JustGiving page with an initial target of £1,000. Thanks to the generosity of friends, family, customers, and members of the wider military community, she reached the target within the first week and is now hoping to raise even more before taking on the challenge.
As Rowen prepares to step out of the aircraft this September, she hopes the challenge will be a fitting tribute to Harry’s memory while helping other Army families receive the support they need.
To support Rowen’s skydive challenge, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/rowen-johnson-1