Amy takes a giant leap for Mental Health Awareness Week: facing her fears to challenge stigma

This Mental Health Awareness Week, Amy Abernethy, an Account Handler Team Manager from the global insurance firm Howden, is stepping well outside her comfort zone by doing a skydive to raise vital funds for Mersey Cares.

Howden has been a valued supporter of our charity, earlier backing our Easter Egg Appeal to bring joy to patients and services across the region. While exploring further ways the team could support mental health and community services across Merseyside and Cheshire, the Mersey Care Skydive was shared with staff– and before she knew it, Amy’s initial enquiry had turned into a firm booking.

“I heard about it and thought, it’s a bit of a win-win situation because you get to do something amazing, and then also get to do raise money for charity to support people who need it.

“I kind of left it for the day,” she laughed. “I then messaged later saying, ‘have you had any takers yet? Because I might….”

Before Amy knew it, she was pencilled in for a tandem skydive at Grange‑over‑Sands, a challenge that brings a mix of fear and excitement, with the thrill now just edging out the nerves.

“I think it’s one of those things that’s always on everyone’s bucket list,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to do it and a few of my friends had recently done it and said it’s amazing, but I’m also a big scaredy cat with things like that,” she said.

While the skydive promises breathtaking views across the Cumbria coastline and a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, for Amy the challenge in support of mental health runs a little deeper, offering the opportunity to raise awareness and start important conversations around a topic that affects us all.

“I’ve struggled with my mental health in the past and I’ve had CBT before,” she explained. “I think everyone struggles at times.”

Amy believes that speaking openly about mental health is essential in breaking down stigma and encouraging others to seek support when they need it.

“As a manager, it’s something I’m really mindful of in my role,” she said. “I think it’s so important that awareness is there, and I hope that by doing this it creates opportunities for people to talk more openly about mental health. It’s vital that people feel able to speak up if they’re struggling, and that they know they’re not alone.”

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026

Amy’s skydive takes on added significance during Mental Health Awareness Week, which this year is themed ‘Action’. Alongside raising awareness, the Mental Health Foundation is encouraging people to take action in whichever way feels right for them to support their own mental health and the wellbeing of others.

For Amy, the challenge is about showing what’s possible when people allow themselves to step outside their comfort zones.

“I think people hold themselves back from doing things you don’t think you can do,” she said. “You’ve got to push yourself to try new things and open your experiences up.

“I think it gives you so much more learning and strength, emotionally and in your abilities, just by conquering fears and doing things you would never normally do.”

Support from friends and colleagues

The support Amy has received from colleagues, friends and family has already helped her smash fundraising targets ahead of the big day – but she’s hoping she can raise as much as she can to support local mental health and community initiatives and the people who really need it.

“Honestly, it’s been amazing,” she said. “Everyone’s been so supportive and sending messages of support and good luck. It’s a really great group of colleagues to work with.”

And once her feet are safely back on solid ground?

“I think I’ll be super, super happy,” she laughed. “I’ll probably kiss the ground.”

How the funds will support Mersey Cares projects

Funds raised through the skydive will help Mersey Cares continue to support projects across mental health services, children and young people’s care, dementia services and community wellbeing initiatives, funding the extra touches and opportunities that traditional NHS funding often cannot cover.

Read our latest Impact Report to see what we can do with your support. 

As Amy prepares to take the leap, her message is simple: sometimes the biggest growth comes from facing the things that scare us most and doing it in support of something that truly matters makes it even more meaningful.

If you can support Amy’s challenge with a small donation, here’s the link to her fundraising page:

Amy's Skydive: The Mersey Care NHS Charity: Amy's Skydive for Mersey Care

If Amy's skydive has inspired you - we'd love you to join us for your own event! We offer skydive year-round at a choice of 17 locations with Skyline events. If you've thought about doing a skydive before, through a charity is a great way to do it -- as you only pay £70 for the experience, instead of around £400 when done privately (*minimum sponsorship applies). Contact us to find out more: charity@merseycare.nhs.uk