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Photo credit: Gianna Abigail

Gianna and Peter Abigail, parents of three autistic children from Harleston, are joining forces with six other courageous parents to take a leap of faith—literally. On Saturday, 12th July, the group will skydive from 13,000 feet at Beccles Airfield in Suffolk to raise awareness of autism and vital funds for Autism Anglia, a leading regional charity supporting autistic adults, children and their families.

The Abigails’ children—twin girls Alishia and Amelia (4), and their older brother Liam (6), who has high support needs and requires round-the-clock care—have inspired the couple’s mission. After years of battling for appropriate support in healthcare, education, and social services, Gianna and Peter are turning their struggles into action.

“We’ve spent years fighting for our children to access the support they need,” said Gianna. “It’s been exhausting—dealing with delays in diagnosis, school challenges, and navigating a complex and often unresponsive system. What’s kept us going is the support of our friends and family—and the strength we’ve found in our community of fellow SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) parents.”

Peter added:
“We want to shine a light on the everyday challenges so many SEND families face—things people often take for granted. Just going shopping, taking a walk, or planning a simple day out can be daunting without the right support or understanding.”

“Many of us have had to completely adapt our lives and homes to meet our children’s needs. We want people to pause before judging, to consider what kind of night that parent might have had, whether they’ve had any sleep, or how much they’ve sacrificed just to get through the day. Our goal is to build more empathy and make daily experiences just a little easier for autistic parents and their children.”

This tight-knit group of eight, all parents to children with autism, ADHD, or other neurodivergent conditions, have set an ambitious goal: to raise £4,000 for Autism Anglia.

“In many ways, we’re the lucky ones,” Gianna continued. “We have each other, and we’ve learned how to challenge the system when we need to. But not every parent has that confidence or support network. That’s why we’re doing this—to raise awareness and show solidarity.”

Fliss Rook, Director of Income Generation & Marketing at Autism Anglia, expressed gratitude for the initiative:

“We are honoured to be supported by this inspiring group. Every day, we hear from families navigating the same challenges Gianna and Peter describe. As demand for our services continues to grow, the generosity of local communities is more important than ever. Fundraisers like this make a real difference.”

With just 10 spots left on the skydiving team, the parents are inviting others to join them.

“We’re calling on other SEND parents to join us in this incredible experience,” said Gianna. “Together, we can show just how far we’ll go for our children and help drive the change needed to ensure every child gets the support they deserve.”

To reserve your place on the July 12th Skydive, email: fundraising@autism-anglia.org.uk
To sponsor Gianna, Peter, Jess, Morgan, Sally, Henderson, Olivia and Jamie, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/giannaabigail1990