Story

Well, I achieved it.  On Sunday 5th June I did a wing walk as it was one of the many items on my bucket list.  It was also a fitting tribute to my late wife Wendy after five years and is helping to raise money for the WAY Foundation.   Just after the second anniversary of my wife’s death I jumped out of a perfectly serviceable plane to do a tandem parachute jump and raised a significant amount of money for Leukaemia research and the Anthony Nolan Trust.  The dear fellows at the Civil Aviation Authority allow wing walking.  However they ban being sponsored for it so I pushed the plane ten yards as a sponsorship instead of being sponsored for the wing walk.  I would like to use this opportunity to raise awareness for the WAY foundation.    This group was set up to provide support to young widows who lost their partners before they reached their 51st birthday.  Its members have a very diverse age range, with some having been widowed very shortly into their lives together while some were fortunate enough to have many happy years before being widowed.  Some have children, some don’t.  Some were bereaved very suddenly as in the case of accidents, heart attacks, murders and suicides while others have lost their loved ones through long illnesses.  Some, like me, come to WAY several years after bereavement while others join very shortly afterwards.  What we all have in common is an understanding of the grief, and practical difficulties, that the others are going through and the knowledge we will never KNOW how the other feels as we are all individuals and have very different circumstances.  WAY organises social events which allow the members an opportunity to meet with others in a similar position without the need to explain themselves or the reason why they are there.  It organises events, holidays and breaks for those with and without children, web forums for those that need to talk, seek advice or offload at any time of the day or night and above all mutual support, understanding and advice.  Possibly the most surprising thing for those lucky enough not to qualify to be members is that most of the social events are extremely jolly affairs while being sympathetic and supportive to those who need it at the time. When arriving for my first pub meal / meeting, not long after doing my jump, I sat in the pub car park and was about to turn the engine back on and go home but fete took a hand, I took the last place at the table next to someone who would become a very special friend indeed and I have not looked back since.  I have met a great many friends who I otherwise would not have met and now aim to give back as much in the way of support, understanding and companionship that I gained.  The wing walk was fantastic and my warm thanks go to all involved from Aerobatic Tactics for such a wonderful experience and to an excellent photographer, Mr Richard Foord.  I had already started to get nervous when I had seen the first few people do their wing walks, but when I got on top of the wings myself I was really scared.  When the engine spluttered into life I knew there was no turning back though, and I am glad I didnt.  Once airborne the thrill, noise, and beauty were amazing.  Definitely glad I did it. So if you would like to make a donation please feel free to donate here and remember gift aid if you can.

Wing Walk And Plane Push

Wing Walk And Plane Push

Story

Donation summary