THE MOTHER of a young Scotsman who died unexpectedly is doing a bungee jump in his memory – despite her fear of heights.
Christopher Nelson tragically passed away in November 2015 while in Amsterdam, aged just 24.
His family, from Eskbank, Midlothian, have since undertaken a series of incredible challenges to keep his memory alive and raise funds for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC).
His mother, Donna, along with eight other members of ‘Team Nelson’ are now doing the Highland Fling Bridge Swing in Killiecrankie, Perth and Kinross.
The jump takes place from a platform raised 40 metres above the river below, with a free fall drop of 15 metres, before the rope takes the slack and jumpers accelerate through an arc below the bridge.
Donna said: “I’ve got a massive fear of heights but it’s so important to me keep Christopher’s memory alive that we keep taking on these mad challenges.
“We’ve done Tough Mudder, I cycled 200 miles along the Rest and be Thankful, his dad cycled to Glasgow and I even parachuted from a plane.
“I always think, ‘What would Christopher say to me doing all these crazy things?’ Nobody would be laughing more than him at his mum who has a fear of heights. They’re even making me jump off last which is the worst.”
Donna and her family’s efforts have raised more than £27,000 for charity over the years since Christopher’s passing.
ECHC is a charity close to the family’s heart as it supported him in hospital when he was younger.
The charity supports and complements the work of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in the capital.
Doing the jump alongside Donna are Christopher’s sisters, Abby, 13, and Rebecca, 26.
Donna added: “I remember him challenging me to run 5k when he knew fine well I couldn’t run for a bus, but he gave me the couch to 5k app and now I run three times a week.
“He knew what he was doing and it was like that – he had my back and I had his. We were just soulmates.
“It feels like yesterday he passed away and although people say it gets easier, if anything gets harder, so it’s so important to us to keep his spirit alive and raise money for such a wonderful charity.”
The bungee jump takes place on September 1 at 2.30pm with all the money raised helping ECHC to ensure children undergoing hospital treatment can be a child first and a patient second.
Sue Diamond, Community Fundraising Manager at ECHC, said: “It’s such an honour for us to be chosen as Christopher’s charity.
“The family are amazing and have raised a great amount for us over the past few years. And Donna’s latest bungee jump challenge is so impressive considering her fear of heights.
“The money raised will have a huge impact on the lives of young patients and their families and we’re so grateful for their continued support.”
To donate to Donna’s bungee jump challenge, please visit: https://bridgeswing.everydayhero.com/uk/in-loving-memory-of-christopher-nelson-teamnelson-1?fb_action_ids=10216790299417956&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B687879974901425%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.shares%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D
For more information on what ECHC and its supporters are up to, visit: https://echcharity.org/
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