Retired nurse Thabani Sithole, 74, will be taking her fundraising efforts to dizzying heights on Saturday 18 November with a skydive to raise funds for Independent Age. The national charity provides advice and support to thousands of older people in financial hardship across the country every year.
Thabani, who lives with her daughter in South London, wants to raise awareness of the issues facing older people in financial hardship and the support Independent Age provides through its Helpline.
Thabani herself has benefited from this support. Helpline advisers helped her to access additional financial support – including Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and Council Tax Reduction – worth over £800 a month. Before contacting the charity, Thabani feared she would lose her home as her mortgage and other costs became unmanageable.
When asked about her upcoming skydive, Thabani said:
“Before I got the help from Independent Age it was a desperate, desperate time. We had so many problems – where to get food from, how to pay the bills, gas and electric going up and paying council tax too. The house was very cold – we wore extra clothes and covered ourselves in blankets. I’d been forced to retire as paediatric nurse at the age of 70 because of my worsening arthritis. I was relying on my savings, a small State Pension, and part time agency work to support myself. But during the pandemic the agency work dried up, and then I was then struck down with Covid which made me too ill to work even when I was offered it.
“I felt so ashamed, I thought that people would think I had mismanaged my life. I was threatened with repossession after telling my mortgage lender that I couldn’t afford the payments. I heard about Independent Age in 2021. The people on the phone were so lovely, they listened to me, didn’t judge and understood as I explained why I couldn’t work. They helped me claim Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance which was a big relief. They even helped me fill out the forms which was a huge help. Now I get an extra £800 a month and I feel like I’m finally in control again.
“I’ve always challenged myself to do new things. When I saw the opportunity to skydive while also raising money for a charity that has done so much for me, I knew I had to do it. As well as raising money, I’m hoping to raise awareness. It’s so difficult for so many people right now with the cost of living and I think society sometimes forgets about older people. If anyone over 65 reading this is struggling with money, I encourage them to reach out to Independent Age. It’s so important to make sure you’re getting all the help you’re entitled to.
“By doing this skydive I hope to help the charity support more people like me and spread the word that help is out there. Independent Age made me feel like a normal person with a bright future ahead of me. They made me feel like I matter.”
Thabani has raised £400 so far and is hoping to reach her target of £1000. Her skydive also coincides with the launch of Independent Age’s ‘A Life Worth Living’ fundraising appeal for the charity’s helpline, to help them support more older people in financial hardship like Thabani.
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, said:
“On behalf of the whole charity I want to thank Thabani for this inspiring fundraising effort. Thabani’s story demonstrates the plight of so many older people in this country, and I’m so glad we were able to help her access the support she is entitled to.
“With 2.1 million older people already living in poverty and millions more facing financial hardship, our work has never been more important. Callers to the Independent Age helpline are missing out on average over £4,000 a year. This is a life-changing amount of money. Nobody in later life should be facing money worries alone or feel ashamed of asking for help.
“This skydive is further evidence of Thabani’s amazing commitment to helping older people in financial hardship and raising awareness of the issues faced by this often-overlooked group. So good luck and we look forward to hearing all about it once you’re back on the ground!”
To donate to Thabani’s skydive: https://www.justgiving.com/page/t-sithole-1695936440792
To donate to Independent Age: https://www.independentage.org/donate
