A SIXTEEN-year-old from Tavistock recently organised a sky dive to help raise money for a charity close to his heart — Diabetes UK.

Jacob Kendall was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just eleven years old, which can be quite difficult to deal with at such a young age. Type 1 diabetes is a long-term condition where the pancreas does not produce any insulin, so daily injections are required.

However, since being diagnosed, Jacob has had excellent support from Diabetes UK, so he wanted to do something in appreciation and to enable the charity to continue its support for other young people with the same condition.

The sky dive took place late last year at the Parachute Club in Perranporth, Cornwall where Jacob jumped from a plane that was 10,000 feet in the air.

Jacob said: 'I really wanted to do something different to raise money for Diabetes UK as it is such an important part of my life. I also wanted to help raise awareness of the challenges diabetes can bring. I really enjoyed the sky dive experience and was glad that I did this for such a great cause.'

Jacob joined Skills Group after completing his GCSEs as he was keen to start a career in mechanics. He has recently completed his Learn2Work course at Skills Group, a course designed to help prepare young people for an apprenticeship. He is now being put forward for an apprenticeship vacancy in mechanics.

Trevor Barnes, Learn2Work co-ordinator, said: 'Jacob is such an excellent student and when he told me about the sky dive for Diabetes UK I was overwhelmed. He has done an excellent thing for the charity and was extremely courageous. Well done Jacob!'

Skills Group donated £50 to Jacob for completing his sky dive and in total he raised a brilliant £400 for Diabetes UK.