Flying high! Schoolboy sets new record for 10,000ft skydive – despite his fear of heights

• Tyler Love, 11, became youngest person from Scotland ever to complete a tandem dive
• He beat a record set 15 years ago – by his aunt Tammi, now 29 

A schoolboy has set a new record for the youngest 10,000ft skydive, despite having a fear of heights.

Tyler Love, 11, became the youngest person from Scotland ever to complete a tandem dive, beating the record set 15 years ago by his aunt Tammi, now 29.

Skydiving runs in the family as his mother Kerri Anderson is also a keen skydiver and a qualified solo jumper.

His grandfather, Tom Anderson, is set to make his 1,000th jump this weekend and grandmother Lynn has also done a tandem skydive.

Tyler begged his mother to be allowed to make the leap so she booked a surprise trip to Denmark, where children under 16 are allowed to tandem skydive.

Tyler Love, 11, became the youngest person from Scotland to ever complete a tandem dive

They were accompanied by Ms Anderson’s partner Nathan Pope, another qualified skydiver, and his daughter Grace, 12, who also took the plunge.

Tyler and Grace also raised over £1,200 for charity with the leap.

Ms Anderson 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.’

Tyler had begged his mother, Kerri Anderson (right) to be allowed to make the leap. Kerri’s partner, Nathan Pope (left) and her dad Tom Anderson (centre)

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, he overcame his fear and completed the jump – phoning his Aunt Tammi, 29, when he hit the ground to let her know he’d claimed the title.

Ms Anderson added: ‘My sister did a tandem skydive when she was 14 – she was the youngest in Scotland until Tyler did his.

‘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.

The family travelled to Denmark to complete the jump as the minimum age is 16 in the UK

‘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.

Ms Anderson said: ‘The kids were originally aiming for £200 – we’re now over £1,200 and we can’t believe it.

‘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.’

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