On Saturday 8 August, friends Kelly Rees and Mark Coles fulfilled a lifelong ambition to do a skydive while raising thousands of pounds for a cause close to their hearts. Joined by 18 friends, the pair jumped for their younger brothers – Kelly, in memory of her brother Nicky, who lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and sadly died in 1995 aged 16; and Mark in support of his brother Mitchell who lives with the same condition. Kelly shares her story.
Taking to the skies for my brother
For a long time, I’ve wanted to do a skydive for Muscular Dystrophy UK in memory of my little brother Nicky who lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. I’m turning 50 at the end of this year and was determined to do it before then. One day I mentioned this to my friend Mark – he loved the idea, so we booked it there and then! His brother Mitchell lives with the same condition Nicky had, so we knew the day would be dedicated to them.
Living with Duchenne
My brother Nicky wasn’t the only person in our family to live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Our two cousins were diagnosed at a similar time to Nicky and that led to my mum and my aunt finding out that they were both carriers. Before that time, no one in the family had ever heard of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“Growing up, I didn’t really think about the condition – Nicky was just my little brother. He was really special and I’m so proud of the time we spent together.”
I remember him as being very intelligent, mature, strong and positive, despite all the pain and challenges he had growing up with a disability. He loved Guns N’ Roses and Bon Jovi, and he was my little star. We used to argue, of course, all siblings do! But I loved him and have so many special memories.
I remember one day, sitting in the garden with him. Nicky was 14 or 15, so it was only a year or so before he died. He said to me: ‘You see that bright star in the sky? That will be me looking down on you.’
I miss my brother every day. He would have been an amazing uncle to my kids.
Why fundraising is important to me
For me, fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK is important so that the charity can continue to fund research into new treatments. I really hope one day there’ll be a cure for future generations.
But it’s also important to raise awareness and improve understanding. Back in the 90s there was no thought for disabilities.
“Nicky, and all of us in the family, were on the receiving end of cruel comments and judgement. I don’t want anyone else to experience that.”
Even now, three decades on, lots of people have never heard of muscular dystrophy, and it’s important to increase awareness and support individuals and families living with conditions like Duchenne.
Support from friends who understand
My close friend Mark also had a personal reason for taking on the skydive challenge and fundraising for MDUK – his younger brother Mitchell lives with the same condition as Nicky.
Mark said: “Kelly and I have both seen first-hand how cruel Duchenne muscular dystrophy can be. I’m lucky enough to still have my brother Mitchell here and he’s beating all the odds to this day, but some families are not so lucky and lose loved ones at such an early age. That’s why we wanted to do this and raise as much as possible to help fund research into the condition.”
Others were facing different challenges
Mark and I would like to thank everyone who jumped with us on the day and came along to show their support. But we’d like to give a special shout out to four people who really went the extra mile to be part of this team challenge.
When we booked the jump back in January, we didn’t realise there was a weight limit, and it turned out that four people in our team needed to lose weight to take part. Danny, Mark and Seb all lost around a stone to make it happen, and Ashley managed to lose 11kg! We’re so proud and thankful for all their hard work, and grateful to everyone who has donated to this special cause in support of Mark’s brother Mitchell and in memory of my brother Nicky.
Support Kelly and Mark's team
By supporting the team’s fundraising, you’ll help fund research and provide support for people living with a muscle wasting condition.
Inspired by this story?
There are many ways you can fundraise for people living with a muscle wasting condition. No idea is too big or too small.
