Hector Macleod, the chief executive of Third Sector Hebrides, is undertaking a skydive to raise funds for the befriending initiative in Lewis the organisation has set up.
Befriending offers a friendly, listening ear to people who would otherwise be socially isolated.
The service costs £65,000 per year to fund and currently the project is not supported by any form of mainstream health, social care, or government financial commitment.
Hector will be jumping from 15,000 ft, undertaking a tandem skydive parachute jump to raise funds for the cause on 26th July.
He said: “I cannot say that I'm looking forward to it, I'm not great with heights,
but I really believe in the value of the work of Befriending Lewis, as I’ve seen
first-
“I decided to lead by example and joined the first group of befrienders to go through the training sessions.
"I have now been befriending in the community for a few months, and have seen first-
and befriender.
"There are so many people suffering the impacts of loneliness and isolation right on our own door step and befriending is something we can all do to help people feel connected to other people and their community again.”
A donation webpage has been set up at Justgiving
Parachute jump for befriending initiative
11 July 2016