Shirley Ballas showed her brave side on Saturday as she embarked on an incredible 13,000ft skydive to raise money for the suicide prevention organization CALM in honor of her late brother David.
The 62-year-old Strictly Come Dancing judge appeared in good spirits as she jumped out of a plane over Peterborough and smashed through the clouds at over 120mph as she completed the third of her “Skyathlon” challenges this week.
Shirley and her family were devastated when her brother David, from Wallasey, Merseyside, died of depression in 2003 aged 44.
And the star certainly made David and loved ones proud as she pulled off the bold feat to help the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) help those struggling with life and prevent even more people are lost to suicide.
Wearing a white CALM t-shirt and yellow headband, Shirley looked terrified as she shuffled to the edge of the plane and prepared to jump with her instructor at one of the oldest drop zones in the country.
Wow! Shirley Ballas undertook an incredible 13,000ft skydive on Saturday to raise money for the suicide prevention organization CALM in honor of her late brother David
Go girl! The 62-year-old Strictly Come Dancing judge appeared in good spirits as she jumped out of a plane over Peterborough and smashed through the clouds at over 120mph as she completed the third of her “Skyathlon” challenges this week
She overcame her fears, however, and was soon flying through the sky, enjoying stunning views of the countryside and four counties on the way down.
Upon landing, Shirley showed her hands, on which she had written the name of her late brother David.
Ahead of her dive – on which she was also joined by two contest winners – Shirley said her heart “raced” and her chest “pounded” as she expressed nervousness about the challenge.
But when she completed the skydive, although she admitted she was still “scared,” she also found it “exciting.”
She said: “Today’s skydive was by far the most difficult challenge. It was scary and exciting at the same time. Getting off the plane was the scariest part, but floating between the clouds was the most exhilarating part.”
Shirley’s skydive completes the last of her three breathtaking skyathlon challenges, in which she flew at 120mph down the world’s fastest zipline while also completing an incredible 700ft wingwalk in support of CALM.
The charity’s helpline workers receive 25% more calls during the summer months and speak to someone in trouble every 59 seconds.
Every day, 18 people tragically commit suicide in the UK. CALM exists to change that – by providing life-saving assistance, creating culture-changing campaigns, and uniting people across the country to reject a life of misery.
Incredible: The star certainly made David and loved ones proud as she pulled off the daring feat to help the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to help those struggling with life and prevent yet to be more people are lost to suicide
Petrified: Wearing a white CALM t-shirt and yellow headband, Shirley looked terrified as she shuffled to the edge of the plane and prepared to jump
Incredible: She overcame her fears, however, and was soon flying through the sky, enjoying stunning views of the countryside and four counties on her way down
Tribute: Upon landing, Shirley showed her hands, on which she had written the name of her late brother David
What a woman: After completing the skydive, she admitted she was still “scared” but also found it “exciting”.
Last year, Shirley fought back tears as she opened up about her late brother’s tragic suicide, with the star saying it meant “everything to me”.
Almost 20 years after his death, she became emotional during an interview on This Morning while reflecting on the warning signs of her sibling’s inner struggle.
She was seen wiping tears from her eyes as she responded to David’s photo, one of many in the CALM exhibition on London’s Southbank, which shows the smiling faces of 50 people just before they took their own lives.
Speaking to host Phillip Schofield, Shirley said: “When I saw my brother parading there in Southbank it was all back. If I had known what I knew now, I could have helped.”
“Everyone loved him. He was a big brother. He was like a father. He was everything to me.
Scary stuff: Shirley’s skydive completes the last of her three breathtaking skyathlon challenges, which saw her soar down the world’s fastest zipline at 120mph
What a thrill: while also completing an incredible 700ft wingwalk in support of CALM
Tragic: David, from Wallasey, Merseyside, took his own life in 2003 aged 44 after suffering from depression, leaving Shirley and her family heartbroken (pictured last year)
“We talked every day at four o’clock. He really was the last person I ever thought would take his own life.’
Since the death of her brother, Shirley has been a passionate campaigner for mental health awareness and even founded the charity The Ballas Foundation with her son Mark.
Shirley is said to have felt “overwhelming sorrow” when her brother David took his own life in 2003.
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) stands with everyone in the UK against suicide.
The campaign is guided by vital, life-saving support, impactful conversations and collective action. If you have any problems contact CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (UK) or via our webchat.
Our trained support staff are available every day from 17:00 to 24:00 to give you practical support and advice no matter what you are going through. To learn more about CALM and our services, or to require assistance or advice, visit www.thecalmzone.net.