Courtney Keenan, from the Graeme Dingle Foundation Far North, jumped out of a plane at an altitude of 3.6km above the Bay of Islands to "walk the talk" and raise awareness and funds for the foundation
Courtney Keenan, from the Graeme Dingle Foundation Far North, jumped out of a plane at an altitude of 3.6km above the Bay of Islands to "walk the talk" and raise awareness and funds for the foundation
Overcoming your fears can be challenging, but when you work for a charity that encourages children to overcome theirs so they can thrive, sometimes “you just have to walk the talk”.
Keenan, from the Far North, is from the foundation’s national office, overcame her fears for tamariki and rangatahi by participating as one of the participants in Drop For Youth 2024, an initiative from the Graeme Dingle Foundation.
Born and raised in the Far North, Keenan understands the challenges young people face in Te Tai Tokerau and the importance of life skills, education, and the positive impact this can have.
‘’I have always liked the idea of skydiving, but fear has held me back. I want to show my two young boys, and young people in the Far North, that by overcoming fear and life’s obstacles, you can grow and thrive in life,’’ she said.
As well, she said, if you are working in an organisation that is encouraging and helping youth to overcome their fears, “you just have to walk the talk” and set a good example.
The Graeme Dingle Foundation crew who did skydives from 3.6km above the Bay of Islands to raise awareness and funds for the foundation’s Drop For Youth 2024 initiative.
“This was something I always really wanted to do, to test myself, in my younger years. But as I got older and had a family, I thought it wouldn’t be a reality as I didn’t want to put myself at risk,” she said.
“As a family we encourage our kids to step outside their comfort zones to build their confidence and resilience. Then when we needed numbers for Drop For Youth 2024 I decided I’d do it to show I could too [overcome fears].”
She said it was scary and daunting approaching the open door on the plane at 3.6km ready to plunge down, but felt confident with “the wonderful people at Skydive Bay of Islands made me feel very safe and comfortable. I realised there was no other way down from up there so out we jumped”.
After initially struggling to breathe on the free-fall – “they suggested I close my mouth for the free-fall to make it easier to breathe” – as soon as the chute opened, she fully appreciated the “magnificent views” from above the bay.
“I could see all those wonderful sites – the Hole in the Rock and all the islands and beautiful scenery and could even see both coasts from up there. It was amazing.”
Courtney Keenan, from Graeme Dingle Foundation Far North overcame her fear of heights to skydive from 3.6km for youth.
There was a big sense of relief, but also exhilaration, when she landed, knowing she had made it through that fear barrier.
Keenan has worked for the Graeme Dingle Foundation for the last six years and has seen first-hand the positive impact their mahi has on the lives of thousands of young people.
“Through two youth development programmes, Kiwi Can and Career Navigator Ngā Ara Whetū, they are changing lives and creating a stronger youth population in the Far North,” Keenan said.
The Graeme Dingle Foundation Far North empowers tamariki and rangatahi (children and young adults) by developing their self-belief, life skills and resilience, empowering them to realise their potential.
They deliver the Foundation’s primary school programme, Kiwi Can, to more than 800 ākonga including Bay of Islands International Academy, Kaingaroa School, Mangonui School, Matauri Bay School, Ngataki School, Oruaiti School, Peria School, Taipa Area School, Te Hapua School, Te Kura o Hato Hohepa Te Kamura, and Totara North School.
Additionally, the Career Navigator Ngā Ara Whetū programme is being delivered in two schools - Bay of Islands College, and Northland College.
A donation to the foundation helps create brighter futures, with for every $1 invested in our programmes, $10.50 is returned to New Zealand’s economy.
The Graeme Dingle Foundation is a youth development charity named in recognition of Kiwi adventurer Sir Graeme Dingle who founded the not-for-profit organisation with his partner Jo-anne Wilkinson, Lady Dingle, in 1995.
The Foundation facilitates school and community programmes for nearly 30,000 Kiwis aged between 5–24 each year. These initiatives aim to broaden horizons, offer opportunities, and give young people the chance to become the next generation of successful parents, leaders, and businesspeople.
