Aitch is skydiving for a very wholesome reason

Yesterday Aitch took to Instagram to announce that he’s going to be doing a skydive in order to fundraise for Down's Syndrome Association. The 15,000ft skydive will take place on March 25, 2023 – in the same week as World Down’s Syndrome day, which is on March 21 annually.

The rapper, whose full name is Harrison James Armstrong, has personal reasons for supporting the cause. His younger sister, Gracie, has the genetic disorder. Alongside a screenshot of the Just Giving page where you can donate, Aitch wrote: “My little sister Gracie is an inspiration to me and my family, so becoming an Ambassador for the Down’s Syndrome Association means I can hopefully make a difference for not just my sister, but everyone else around the world with Down’s syndrome, who have as much right to a fully inclusive life as the rest of us.”

Down’s Syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder which is caused by the presence of an additional copy (or partial copy of) chromosome 21. At the moment, it’s believed this happens by chance – with no environmental or behavioural factors causing it, and there is no cure. People with the disorder in the developed world can live to about 60 years old and the effects of the condition include a delay in physical growth, a mild-to-moderate delay in cognitive ability, and distinctive facial characteristics. People with the condition often need specialist education and care. About one in a thousand newborns have the condition, it’s the most common chromosome abnormality in humans.

At the time of writing, and just a day after posting, the rapper from New Moston has raised £47,405 through almost ten thousand donations. The target was £600, which is the minimum requirement in order to do the 15,000ft dive. There is also a 10,000ft dive people can do if they raise at least £500.

Aitch’s efforts mirror those made by other notable figures in recent weeks to try and raise awareness for young people with disabilities. Just over a week ago, Aston Villa forward Danny Ings showed support for his mascot by wearing noise-cancelling headphones alongside the young football enthusiast on the pitch before their match against Brentford F.C in the Premier League.

Riley, the nine-year old who was a mascot for the game, his mother said to BirminghamLive that “Riley was worried that the players and other fans would laugh at him so the fact he wasn't the only one wearing them made him so happy." People with autism are more sensitive to noise than the general population, and therefore often need to be able to dampen the atmosphere at football stadiums in order to enjoy the game without sensory overload.

The first winner of Big Brother, which is back on the air next year, was Craig Phillips. Upon winning, he announced that he was going to give the £70,000 prize fund to his friend Joanne Harris, who had Down’s Syndrome, who needed to raise £250,000 for a heart and lung transplant. He had been raising money for her before appearing on the show, too.

Aitch’s song ‘My G’, released back in August 2022 featuring Ed Sheeran, is actually about his sister, who is in her early teens. You can listen to it below.