Posted on May 13, 2014
Chloe Boarer is a 19 year old college student living in the UK with a sense of activism not many her age possess. Last year Chloe lost her Grandad to mesothelioma. Because of the support and care Hampshire Asbestos Support (HASAG) provided for her grandparents, Chloe was inspired to raise money for their program. She set a target goal to raise £500. Sponsored by the Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP Asbestos), on April 12th at 1:15 pm Chloe took her jump for her HASAG Charity Skydive. After she exclaimed that it was the most incredible experience she had ever had! She also well exceeded her fundraising goal, raising almost £700! ADAO applauds Chloe and her efforts to raise money for asbestos awareness and in memory of her grandfather – we are sure he is proud of her. To make a donation and continue Chloe’s efforts please click here.
This week, I had the opportunity to interview Chloe about her Skydiving to raise money and awareness for Hampshire Asbestos Support (HASAG).
When did you first hear the word “mesothelioma?”
Chloe: I had never actually heard of the term before Grandad had it. I don’t think I could spell it, let alone pronounce it until I started researching it and hearing about it through IATP & Hampshire Asbestos Support (HASAG).
What made you decide to skydive to raise funds for mesothelioma and asbestos awareness?
Chloe: I’d been thinking for a while that I wanted to do something to raise money for HASAG because of the help they gave my Nanny and Grandad. I actually have a ‘bucket list’ and Skydiving was 3rd on the list. I love anything to do with flying as I was in the CCF (RAF) at my Secondary school and Grandad liked Aviation too, so it seemed the most relevant and personal way to raise money in my eyes, as it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I know Grandad would have liked it.
What was your greatest fear about undertaking this adventure?
Chloe: My fundraising event started in October 2013 when I told HASAG what I wanted to do. However, I then realized the work I had to put in in order to raise a good amount of money all the while keeping on top of my college studies. So then my biggest fear was actually failing! I set myself a target of £500 but the Skydive itself also cost a significant amount, therefore I emailed and wrote to many different companies in my area that had something to do with Asbestos, like builders merchants etc. asking whether they would sponsor me in return for my efforts to raise awareness and have their name on my T-shirt when I jumped. I had no luck for a very long time and really started to worry, so when IATP came to me asking if I was still looking for sponsorship I was thrilled, because I knew then I could focus on getting as many donations as possible!
How did you overcome this fear?
Chloe: I think really it was perseverance and always remembering the reason I was doing this.
Personally, I have never done a fundraising event on this scale, this was my first time organizing everything and fundraising on my own, as I’m only 19. But obviously, I had a lot of help and support from my family and friends, but it was such an achievement that IATP were sponsoring me, I think this motivated me massively to then succeed in achieving my £500 target (which I actually exceeded as I am currently on a total of £687.93). So, I guess I focused on the positives.
I’ve learnt many things throughout this experience and I keep saying to my peers that everyone should do something like this. Not only does it teach you to persevere (something I feel many of my generation lack) but you realize you can do much more than you think. I feel this is another reason I kept going. I got a lot of praise from my peers and many of them were shocked the amount of effort I’ve put in so I think I overcame my fear of failure by wanting to prove to my generation that you can achieve these things even if at first it doesn’t seem to be going your way.
What are your goals for raising asbestos awareness in the UK?
Chloe: When I started my fundraising, it was a very personal, simple mission – to raise money for the charity that helped my Grandad, so they can help many others in the same way. I thought it was going to be more of a healing process. However, once I was involved with IATP, I thoroughly went through their website and the Governments website for their campaign Asbestos ‘Hidden Killer’. This educated me so much as I didn’t really know much about Asbestos still. I joined IATP on Facebook, meaning that all the informative links they put out, I read and learnt from. It was only then that this became an event not only to raise money for HASAG in memory of my Grandad, but now to educate my peers through use of social media. I read a lot about Asbestos and when speaking to people my age, many of them don’t even know what Asbestos is! So I use what I read and knew and shared it with them. In no way am I a big campaigner or professional (yet!), but just a 19 year old who lost her Grandad to Asbestos, but I think that’s the only reason I need to want to tell people my age about the effects of Asbestos. Even if I’ve made 10 people my age know what Asbestos is I think I’ve done OK. I do think, however, when I’m out of college that I may get involved in campaigning more, as it’s something I’ve come to be very passionate about, and I have enjoyed it immensely. With IATP being my sponsor, I have become aware of many different campaigners and Asbestos training providers, that I now feel part of the fight against Asbestos – which makes me very proud.
What is your advice to other young adults about raising funds and awareness against asbestos?
Chloe: As I said earlier, persevere. I think it is always easier to do something like this if you have been affected personally, because my Grandad was the drive behind all of it. However, even if you haven’t been personally affected, all you need to do is visit websites like the UK Governments website the ‘Hidden Killer – Real Life Stories’ – and you’ve found your motivation, use the internet to your best advantage! Without the internet I would never have met Linda (& ADAO). But just even come to know peoples stories, like I found Mavis Nye as well – through IATP. Young people like me will be affected by their stories. Be motivated by their innocence. I think I have fought so hard against my friends by trying to tell them the worst thing about the whole Asbestos ordeal is that it was an industrial disaster that should never have happened, that all these innocent men and women are now fighting a huge battle for something that happened years ago and that for some ridiculous reason is still in places like our homes and schools today! So I would say that in the world today we young people don’t really think for ourselves and take initiative like we could. So let that be your motivation in raising awareness against Asbestos. Once you’ve found your passion and your driving force people will see that in you. Getting money from people for a valid cause is easy, it’s being brave enough to stand up and raise your voice about something many people our age don’t know about that is the hard bit!
What is your next big event?
Chloe: I don’t really have any other fundraising events planned at the moment as I’m focusing on my College exams now. However, I am really looking forward to going to India with my Nanny later this year. Both my Grandparents had always wanted to go to India but never got there as Grandad was too ill. So I think he would happy we’re going and it will be an amazing experience! I am also planning on going to Malawi next March to do a teaching project out there. I visited The Gambia in February/March 2013 having raised £320 for a secondary school there; this inspired me to go back to Africa on another adventure! So hopefully I’ll do a little more fundraising before I go to help other schools in Malawi.
Way to go, Chloe!
In unity,
Linda