Healthier Illawarra Men and Skydive Australia Wollongong representatives at the drop zone at Stuart Park during the launch of Leap For Life. Photo: Supplied.
Jumping out of a plane might not be the first thing people think of when it comes to mental health, but a new Illawarra campaign is using skydiving to spark conversations that could save lives.
“Leap for Life” is encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones while raising funds for programs supporting men’s mental health and preventing domestic violence.
The campaign is a collaboration between Healthier Illawarra Men (HIM) and Skydive Australia Wollongong, where $10 from every tandem skydive booked at Skydive Australia Wollongong in April is donated directly to HIM’s Tomorrow Man programs.
Since partnering with national organisation Tomorrow Man 12 months ago, HIM has delivered programs that have already reached more than 1500 young men across Illawarra schools, sporting clubs and community groups.
HIM chair Graeme Sutherland said the partnership with Skydive Australia was a natural fit, with Tomorrow Man being about challenging outdated ideas of masculinity and helping young men build healthier, more respectful relationships.
“Healthier Illawarra Men has always been about courage – the courage to check in on your health, to ask for help, to have difficult conversations and to stand up for change,” Mr Sutherland said.
“Partnering with Skydive Australia allows us to turn that courage into action.
“Every jump helps fund programs that are growing better young men and creating real change in our community.”
Tomorrow Man CEO and co-founder Paige Campbell said the partnership would help expand important conversations with young men across the region.
“With seven men a day taking their own lives in this country, we know the old rules of what it means to be a man – toughen up, don’t show emotion, go it alone – are no longer serving them,” Ms Campbell said.
“Partnering with HIM and Skydive Australia has been a reminder that when you’re willing to take a leap into vulnerability, whether that’s a tough conversation, asking for help, or literally jumping out of a plane, it really can change a life.
“Supporting these jumps directly fund these important and crucial conversations in schools and communities, and that kind of backing is what makes real, lasting change possible.”
Experience Co chief commercial officer Fiona Stillwell, whose portfolio includes Skydive Australia, said the partnership aligned strongly with the brand’s values.
“Skydiving is about finding your courage and pushing beyond fear — and those same qualities are at the heart of conversations around mental health and also making positive changes,” Ms Stillwell said.
“Having operated in the Wollongong community for many, many years, we are committed to supporting important local initiatives.
“Leap for Life is our way of giving back to the Illawarra region and couldn’t be a better alignment with our company’s DNA.”
She said it also gave customers a simple but powerful way to make their jump even more meaningful.
At the end of April, a community celebration event will be held, with on-site activations and the announcement of funds raised for Tomorrow Man programs.
The impact of the work by HIM and Tomorrow Man has also been recognised at a state level, with The Shellharbour Club nominating it for the 2026 NSWClubs Awards in the Mental Wellbeing category where it was named a finalist for the June awards.
Members of the public can support the Leap For Life campaign by booking a tandem skydive at Skydive Australia Wollongong or by donating directly via Healthier Illawarra Men.
