An 11-year-old has set a new record for a youngest 10,000ft skydive – taking the title from his own aunt.
Tyler Love became the youngest person from Scotland ever to complete a 10k feet tandem dive – despite being afraid of heights.
And he took the record from his aunt Tammi, now 29, which she has held for the last 15 years – having done her jump when she was 14.
Tyler, from Bo’ness, has now become the youngest person from Scotland to do a 10,000ft tandem parachute jump.
Skydiving runs in the family – his mum Kerri Anderson is also a keen skydiver and a qualified solo jumper.
Tyler’s grandad Tom Anderson is set to make his 1000th jump this weekend and gran Lynn has also done a tandem skydive.
Tyler begged Kerri to be allowed to make the leap so she booked a surprise trip to Denmark, where kids under 16 are allowed to tandem skydive.
They were accompanied by Kerri’s partner Nathan Pope, another qualified skydiver, and his daughter Grace, twelve, who also took the plunge.
Tyler and Grace also raised over £1,200 for charity with the leap.
Kerri said: “My partner and I both skydive, and the kids watch us skydive most weekends.
“They’d been talking for a while about wanting to do it themselves.
“In the UK, you have to be 16 to skydive in any form. We did some research and found out that in Denmark, it’s a bit different.
“We found a drop zone in Denmark, booked it, and then told the kids – they were really excited!
“After we’d booked it, Tyler mentioned that he’d like to do it for charity and raise some money.
“People were really eager donate, and were writing well-wishes, so we went through all the messages with Tyler and Grace.”
Despite the excitement, 11-year-old Tyler was still scared of heights – and the family were nervous that he wouldn’t make the jump at all.
However, once they took to the air, Tyler pushed past his fear and completed the jump – phoning his Aunty Tammi, 29, when he hit the ground to let her know he’d claimed the title.
“My sister did a tandem skydive when she was 14 – she was the youngest in Scotland until Tyler did his,” said Kerri.
“Everybody’s been buzzing – we didn’t know if he was going to jump. Tyler has always been scared of heights, so everybody was impressed that he’d jumped.
“The first thing Tyler did when he landed was phone his Aunty Tammi and say, ‘I’ve beaten your record!’
“I think that beating the record was what pushed him to do it.
“I’m very pleased – I don’t know if my sister is though!”
Tyler and Grace’s jump raised over £1,200, which the family will split between local food banks and children’s charities.
“The kids were originally aiming for £200 – we’re now over £1,200 and we can’t believe it,” said Kerri.
“Tyler’s done me, the family, and most of all, himself proud.
“He’s overcome a fear and I’m really proud that he went ahead with it – and that he wanted to do it for charity.
“Now the kids know that they’ve got that in them, and I’m really proud of them – they’re amazing people.”
