Barrow Skydivers Take on Flookburgh Jump to Support Dance Xtreme
A group from Barrow took to the skies above Flookburgh to raise money for a local dance group facing rising travel costs.
The sponsored skydive was organised to support Dance Xtreme, which has seen its expenses increase due to the rising cost of living.
The dance group now faces travel costs of around £1,000 a week. Fundraisers said they wanted to raise money so the extra cost would not have to be passed on to families.
Four people linked to the group completed the skydive on Sunday, May 24.
They were Sarah Dixon-Quayle, Luke Chapman, Lillie Moffat and Mia Potter.
The group set up a GoFundMe page with a target of £1,600. At the time of writing, it had raised £1,515.
Raising Money for Dance Xtreme
Dance Xtreme has been part of the local community for around 10 years.
The group gives young dancers the chance to train, perform and attend events. But like many clubs and community groups, it has been hit by higher costs.
Travel is one of the biggest pressures.
The group regularly travels to places such as Leeds and other parts of the North West. Longer trips mean buses are out for more time, which increases the cost.
Sarah Dixon-Quayle has been involved with Dance Xtreme since the beginning. Her daughter now dances with the group, and she also helps by running the tuck shop.
She said rising costs and growing team numbers had made expenses harder to manage.
Why the Skydive Was Organised
The group decided to do something bold to help raise money.
A sponsored skydive at Flookburgh was chosen as a way to bring in donations and attract support from the local community.
The money raised will help Dance Xtreme cover travel costs for competitions and events.
This means families are less likely to face extra financial pressure at a time when many household budgets are already stretched.
For clubs like Dance Xtreme, fundraising can make a major difference. It can help keep activities open to more children and young people, regardless of family income.
A Nerve-Wracking Challenge
The skydive went ahead successfully, although not everyone found the build-up easy.
Ms Dixon-Quayle said she did not feel nervous herself, but one of the younger participants struggled before the jump.
She said one of the girls was very anxious and was sick before taking part.
Despite the nerves, the group completed the challenge.
Ms Dixon-Quayle described the experience as “amazing” and joked that anyone who landed without wanting to go back up had not enjoyed it properly.
Community Support for the Group
The fundraiser has already come close to reaching its £1,600 target.
At the time of writing, supporters had donated £1,515 through the GoFundMe page.
That support will help Dance Xtreme continue attending events without placing extra costs on families.
Community groups often rely on fundraising, volunteers and local backing to keep going. Rising fuel, transport and event costs can make that more difficult.
For Dance Xtreme, the skydive was both a challenge and a practical way to protect opportunities for its dancers.
Keeping Dance Accessible
The cost of living has affected many sports clubs, dance schools and youth groups.
When travel, venue hire, kit and event costs rise, groups may have to make difficult choices.
Some pass costs on to parents. Others reduce activities or limit how many events they attend.
Dance Xtreme’s fundraising effort was designed to avoid putting more pressure on families.
By raising money through the skydive, the group hopes to keep young dancers involved and able to travel to performances and competitions.
A Big Leap for a Local Cause
The Flookburgh skydive showed how far supporters are willing to go to help the group.
For those taking part, it was a memorable experience. For Dance Xtreme, it was a valuable boost at a difficult time.
The fundraiser has shown strong local support for the Barrow-based dance group and its young members.
With the target almost reached, the skydive has helped Dance Xtreme continue its work while keeping costs down for families.
