Fourteen fearless fundraisers are set to take on a skydive for a Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) Special Named Fund in memory of a six-year-old Perthshire girl who passed away from cancer early last year.
Ruby Stewart, from Inchture, was diagnosed with stage four alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in 2017, and despite undergoing intense treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she died in January 2020, two weeks before her seventh birthday.
Since then, her mum and dad, Claire and Andy, have been tirelessly raising funds for much-needed research into the soft tissue cancer through Super Ruby’s Rhabdo Raiser.
Inspired by Ruby, they’ve so far raised an incredible £170,000 and hope to add another £10,000 to this total when their team – comprised of friends, neighbours, colleagues and even strangers - take on ‘Ruby’s Giant Jump’ on 11 and 12 December, at the Auchterarder drop zone in Perthshire.
Claire said: “Our jump will be from over 10,000ft up and we will reach speeds of up to 120mph.
“The jump takes place over both days due to the number of people taking part and the amount of daylight available.
“Andy and I will both be jumping on the Sunday and will be there to support the team on Saturday, too.
“We’re expecting it to be absolutely freezing – thermals will be required!
“Hopefully we’ll have a beautiful winter’s day, though, and get to appreciate the amazing views of central Scotland.”
Claire and Andy encourage their supporters to ‘Be More Ruby’, by remembering her many special qualities and harnessing them to tackle tasks and challenges, even ones outside their comfort zones, with smiles and enthusiasm, just as Ruby did.
Claire explained how the jump captures the spirit of Be More Ruby: “We’re always looking for the next thing to do and this seemed like an ideal event for us.
“We’ve seen other people we know doing wing walks, skydives and walking across hot coals and Andy previously did an abseil along with a couple of friends.
“It’s something to really challenge us and make us face our fears.
“Ruby went through so much in her short life and was so brave throughout. We want to do something that captures her spirit, courage and sense of adventure.
“It’s a perfect example of what Be More Ruby is all about - exciting, fun, adventurous, doing something for others while challenging yourself, being part of a team and bringing people together, with Ruby and the hope of a better future for children with rhabdomyosarcoma at its heart.
“We opened it up as a team event because we know that there are so many people out there
who want to do something to support childhood cancer, people inspired by Ruby and her story.”
Claire has no doubt that Ruby, whose favourite ride at Disneyland was the Parachute, would have loved the skydive, adding: “Ruby would be amazed, excited and would probably want to take part!
“She’d also be grateful, would want to help in whatever way she could, and would be really touched that people were doing such a crazy, courageous thing for her and other children like her.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone in the team. To commit not only to jumping out of a plane, but also to raising a significant amount of money, is a really big deal.
“To give their time and energy to this event, especially on the lead up to Christmas, is really very special.” Claire, Andy and their supporters have already helped fund two research projects and are determined to continue their efforts. Earlier this year they set themselves the target of reaching £200,000 raised, and with that milestone within their sights, Claire urged people to help them get there by digging deep this Christmas.
Claire said: “We want to do so much more. We’re working-class people doing what we can and, although we’ve achieved a great deal, we want to reach further, and faster.
“The pace of progress feels so slow and children like Ruby continue to die.
“Ruby’s legacy lives on and we will keep going with the motivation to make positive change.
“There are lots of cancer charities and lots of adult cancers that receive lots of funding for research and progress has been made in treating lots of cancers, but some types of cancer, like the one Ruby had, have seen very little progress for decades.
“Some small, incremental improvements, yes, but nothing really significant. Nothing that saves lives.
“We’re trying to change that through research.
“Please help us if you can, any amount helps. Consider it a Christmas gift to all the children suffering with diseases like Ruby’s.”