Local volunteers back families by taking to the skies
Two St Helens volunteers have taken a literal leap to support families grappling with substance use, raising a combined £3,038 through tandem skydives as part of Making Space’s Jump July campaign.
Ant Gaffney and Craig Muldoon, who both give their time to the St Helens Family Support service run by national social care charity Making Space, completed the challenge in July to raise funds for the local project. The service provides free, confidential help to adults affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use, including peer support groups, emotional and practical assistance and information from volunteers, many with lived experience.
The pair’s efforts form part of a wider fundraising push: JumP July has raised more than £8,800 for Making Space services across the country so far and aims to build on that total during the summer months.
- Combined total raised by Ant Gaffney and Craig Muldoon: £3,038
- Amount raised by Ant Gaffney: £1,615
- Jump July nationwide total (so far): £8,800+
| Participant | Amount raised |
|---|---|
| Ant Gaffney | £1,615 |
| Ant & Craig (combined) | £3,038 |
"I'm really happy with the amount we've raised for a fantastic organisation that saved my life last year, and I know the money will be used for important activities for those who are supported by the service."
The quote above came from Craig Muldoon, who described the service as having had a life-changing effect. The fundraising money will be used to support the activities and provision that the St Helens Family Support team offers locally.
Tony Murphy, service manager for the St Helens Family Support service, paid tribute to the volunteers’ commitment and to other recent recognition within the service. He said the weeks had been "incredible" for volunteers, pointing to the combined fundraising achievement and the national recognition of another volunteer.
Ant’s wife, Cerys, was named Volunteer of the Year at the Making Space Colleague Awards 2026 for her work with the service – an accolade that staff say has given the local team added pride alongside the fundraising efforts. Tony Murphy said the money raised would make a "real difference" to the activities and support the team can provide.
Making Space’s fundraising manager Bob Towers also praised Ant and Craig for taking on the challenge for the St Helens service, stressing the importance of volunteer-led support networks in communities affected by substance misuse.
Services like St Helens Family Support operate at the intersection of health and social care. While clinical services treat the person using substances, volunteer-run family support services provide a different layer of help: practical advice, emotional support and peer groups for people whose relatives or partners are affected. For many local families, that combination can be the difference between isolation and getting practical, ongoing help.
Volunteers with lived experience are central to the service model, offering empathy rooted in personal history. That approach was reflected in Muldoon’s remarks about the support he received and the confidence he has that the funds will be put to work in ways that directly benefit local people.
The Jump July campaign continues through the summer, with Making Space encouraging others to take part or donate. For residents who want to learn more about the St Helens Family Support service, the organisation offers contact details and information via Making Space’s local channels.
This fundraising push is a reminder that small acts of bravery – in this case, a tandem skydive – can yield practical benefits for neighbours and families in need. For St Helens, the money raised by Ant and Craig will bolster a service many locals rely on at difficult times.
