Lucy completes sky dive for mental health service

Eighteen-year-old Lucy Balfe has raised hundreds of pounds for Leigh House, in Winchester, which helped her when she had bipolar disorder.

She decided to raise awareness for the service, which helps people with mental health issues.

She completed the skydive, which also included a 30-second freefall at 125mph.

Lucy, who lives in Southsea with her parents, managed to raise £400.

She says: ‘I wanted to do my skydive to try and raise as much money as I possibly could, to try to thank Leigh House for all they have done for me.

‘My time at Leigh House was life-changing for me.

‘All the team, from the nurses to the psychologists to the teachers, were absolutely amazing.

‘I was given support in every possible way, such as coping mechanisms, multiple types of therapy, healthy lifestyle skills and even help with employment.’

Leigh House’s modern matron Carol Fry and activity coordinator Suzy Batty attended the jump site to offer their support and watch Lucy’s feat.

The money she raised will fund future activities and trips out for the adolescent psychiatric unit’s young inpatients.

Lucy adds: ‘The atmosphere in Leigh House is like no other. While young people like myself are admitted for treatment, Leigh House gives us more than that.

‘It feels as though you’ve developed a whole new family of genuine like-minded others.

‘The care received in Leigh House is truly like no other and I cannot praise it enough.’