Shirley Ballas says her tragic brother's suicide sparked daredevil ordeals

08 August 2023 , 11:49

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Shirley Ballas has a very special reason for undertaking her Skyathlon challenge (Image: PA)

Terrified Shirley Ballas says she will jump out of a plane and even do a wing walk to help raise money for suicide prevention because she doesn't want anyone suffering like she did 20 years ago.

Back in 2003, her beloved brother David took his own life and the Strictly Come Dancing head judge says she has never recovered. Opening up to the Mirror, the 62-year-old told how her whole world collapsed when she discovered what had happened on that harrowing morning two decades ago.

Now she is on a mission to complete her Skyathlon challenge in his honour. The zipline was successfully ticked off this morning in Wales, with a 700ft wing walk and a 15,000ft skydive still to come over the next few days. Only problem is, she has a fear of heights.

Shirley explained that she is doing it to support the Campaign Against Living Miserably, a charity focused on suicide prevention and is trying to raise as much money as possible so CALM can help keep those who are struggling safe. Already raising £20,000, she wants to bring in even more money, so if you can donate here.

Shirley has already done the zip-wire but has bigger challenges ahead (PA Archive)

The 62-year-old will be reaching new heights and has already raised thousands (PA)

She said "I would have much prefer to have my feet safely on the ground, but do you know what, it does frighten me, but I am much more terrified at the thought of losing another person to this. I'm not so bad with flying, but I think being stood on the side of a plane is a little different. But we're one down, the zip-wire is in the bag, so after going at 120MPH as a 62-year-old I'm ready for more!

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"I jumped at the chance to do some kind of challenge. Baking a cake or cutting the grass is what I actually had in mind. But 18 people in the UK take their life every day - 75 per cent of those are men. My brother, 20 years ago now, took his. Just recently a student of mine, who was 38 years old, took her own life.

"It is now so prevalent, everybody seems to know somebody who had such a heartbreaking story. CALM can help. I want people to understand that. We have a webchat service, I'm asking people if they're feeling low or feeling down, there's help there. There has to be another way.

Shirley's brother David took his own life in 2003 at the age of 44 (PA)

"I'm doing this in the name of my brother, and for everyone out there we has a loved one who has taken their life. I just need people to get behind me and to donate. £9 could be a lifesaving phone call. It could be your loved ones you're saving. It can also bereavement support. It goes into everything."

"David was not in a good place. My mother was taking care of him and he went downhill. He described it as being in the darkest hole that he couldn't seem to scratch himself out of. Those were his words. Everybody loved him. He was a big brother. He was like a father. He was everything to me.

"Back then, there was no help or guidance. The doctor came, gave him some pills, and after David left us I read them and it said 'could accelerate feelings of suicide'. You never recover from that. You learn to adapt and live with it. People say 'I know how you feel' - I'm sorry no, unless you have lived through this, you don't know how I feel.

"It's very, very difficult. I would like people to take stock and put themselves in my shoes. How would you feel? There's nothing I could describe to tell you how it feels. It's beyond anything I could explain. There's no handbook, but as a society we can be more vigilant.

"My friend over the road, she calls me every day and if she doesn't, I'm going round to find out why. Ask questions without being over imposing and let's listen more."

Shirley’s Skyathlon fundraising page cane be found here.

*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch

Sam Elliott-Gibbs