Teddy bears and stuffed animals in general are quite the adventure lovers. So, it’s no wonder to see 40 or so teddy bears go skydiving. Especially when it’s for a good cause with Indiana University students.
The Indiana University Dance Marathon (IUDM) took the teddy bears to the skies for Riley Hospital for children, FOX 59 reports. The goal was to raise awareness and funds for the patients in the hospital.
Also, each bear got to experience skydiving first hand. The students jumped from the plane at 13 000 feet, reaching 120 mph with the bears.
As a result, each teddy bear was declared the “Bravest Bear in the World” and will be given to the “Bravest Kid in the World” – patients at Riley. This is the fourth year in a roll that IUDM students do this charity event.
“As Co-Outreach Chairs for the Hospital Relations Committee, our goal is to raise awareness about IUDM and Riley,” says Lizzie Barker one of the event’s organizers to FOX 59. “We are the 2nd largest student-run philanthropy in the United States; last year alone we raised over $4.2 million for Riley. We need people to know that 75% of that goes to research, 25% to clinical care, and 100% of it is #FTK (For The Kids).
Jumping from an airplane is scary, but what the kids go through is a lot scarier, adds Matt Arnold, another organizer of the event. All of this puts things in perspective, he adds.
