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Man So Scared Of Heights He Can't Stand On A Chair Is Set To Skydive For Terminally-Ill Stepson

Man So Scared Of Heights He Can't Stand On A Chair Is Set To Skydive For Terminally-Ill Stepson

Josh Collins is set to jump out of a plane to raise money for his terminally-ill stepson's wheelchair

EMS 7

EMS 7

A man has been dubbed 'Britain's best dad' after taking the decision to skydive to raise money for his terminally-ill stepson - despite the fact that he is so scared of heights he gets 'dizzy' if he stands on a chair.

We're totally backing barber Josh Collins, who is set to bravely jump from a plane next month in a bid to buy stepson Zach Holland a 'life-changing' electric all-terrain powerchair.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the backlog it has caused, Zach is unable to get funding for the wheelchair until he is completely bed bound, and so 28-year-old Josh decided to take matters into his own hands and raise the money himself.

Kennedy News
Kennedy News

Zach's parents tell of how he was just five years old when he was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder with a 100 percent fatality rate.

The condition means the young LAD, now eight years old, struggles to walk long distances unaided and often needs to be pushed in a manual wheelchair or carried by his parents.

But after mum Laura Holland, 28, gave birth to a baby girl earlier this year, she realised she was unable to push both children at the same time - leaving the family stuck in their house while Josh is at work.

Kennedy News
Kennedy News

The heroic dad joked that in order to get through the feat of plummeting more than 10,000 feet in the air, they'd need to treat the skydive as a 'kidnapping'.

Josh, from Daventry, said: "I've always been scared of heights. It's weird because when I can see down and there's a possibility of me losing balance, I get a vertigo thing."

He went on to say: "I'm scared of the skydive, but at the end of the day it's just going to be a bad time for 20 minutes or so and then we're going to get Zach the chair he wants."

Kennedy News

Josh and Laura - who have been friends since they were teenagers - became a couple after Zach was diagnosed, which led the mum to 'appreciate the good people' in her life.

Speaking about her partner, Laura, who works as a supervisor, said: "He's Britain's best dad. Josh will cringe entirely at that, but I agree with it. I think he's awesome.

"Zach views Josh to be his dad. Josh did Zach's haircuts years and years ago. He was my friend at the time and Zach has always been very chill about having his hair done by him.

Kennedy News

"They got along really well and knew each other. Obviously then suddenly Mummy was dating his barber.

"Their bond is incredible. They will do everything together. Josh is really patient with Zach and will play with him for hours on his video games. They're best friends.

She added: "Our main mission is just to give Zach an incredible life. We go on lots of adventures. Now his mobility is declining it's more difficult, but once he's got his chair we can take him anywhere."

Kennedy News

If you want to help make Zach's dream a reality and support Josh's brave act in the process, you can donate to their fundraising page here. And don't forget to wish the brave dad good luck!

Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News

Topics: hero, Dad, Family