Garfs,
Listen to your heart and let it convince your family.
Don't make the same mistake I did.
I am still a plod. I am now 2 yrs away from being able to retire with a full pension and therefore I would now be stupid to quit the job. I had always wanted to learn to fly heicopters but I waited far too long to get off my backside and do it. I now have a PPL(H) and am currently working towards my CPL which I hope to have by the time I retire. (Better late than never I suppose).
My biggest regret is not listening to the nagging little voice in my head telling me to act far earlier than I did.
When I finally went for it, my family supported me wholeheartedly because they saw how much I wanted it.
Don't look for figures to convince them that flying helicopters is safe. Simply ask them to trust you to make sensible decisions and minimise risks.
Lord Mount