WAR veteran Jack Watson is planning to achieve one of his lifelong ambitions to take part in a parachute jump – at the age of 91!

The fearless former signalman from Sunderland, who was part of the Battle of Monte Cassino during World War II, wants to finally take his leap to raise money for charity.  Jack, who was part of the Shropshire Yeomanry, is looking for sponsors in his bid to raise money for Action on Dementia Sunderland.

He said that he wanted to help the charity after witnessing the work its volunteers and staff does after his wife Norma was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease seven years ago.

Jack, a volunteer for Action on Dementia Sunderland himself, said: “I was at a meeting where we were asked to think about the things we really wanted to do. “I have always wanted to do a parachute jump, so I thought I could do that. Then I thought I could do that for charity.”

Jack is now making preparations for the jump at Shotton airfield after doctors gave him the all-clear to be able to parachute.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said plucky pensioner. “Action on Dementia Sunderland has helped me a lot over the past three years. “After my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s we were then left without any assistance to find help.”

“Action on Dementia Sunderland has given me a lot of support. I take part in memory cafes to help others who are experiencing the early stages of dementia or are carers. People don’t realise how much carers need support."

“I like the way Action on Dementia Sunderland is committed to spending every penny within the Sunderland area and that it is spent on services and support, which is why I wanted to fundraise for them.”

The charity parachute jump will be an event that is just a small part of a remarkable life of a man who joined the Home Guard at the age of 17 to keep night watch over the streets of Sunderland.

In 1941 he joined the Army where he spent five years taking part in the war effort, where he took part in one of the most fiercest battles of World War II at Monte Cassino.

After being de-mobbed in 1946, Jack worked at the Co-operative Store in Ryhope.

He said: “I had planned to move to Australia but you had to have a trade, and I didn’t.”

For 30 years, Jack was with a plastering company on building sites before he spent 12 years with the gas board as a clerk collector.

After retiring in 1988 Jack never took things too easy and then his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007.

Despite his age, Jack believes that age isn’t a big factor in his tandem parachute jump. “You’re never too old to try to do anything! I keep young and mix with younger people. Age is just a number, so if you want to do something, just do it,” he added.

Ernie Thompson, Chairman of Action on Dementia Sunderland, said: “Jack is a very courageous man and we were stunned, but delighted when he told us he was planning to do a parachute jump to raise money for the charity.

“Everyone at Action on Dementia Sunderland wishes him well for his jump and we hope that his efforts will inspire people. We’d like to thank Jack for thinking of Action on Dementia Sunderland.”

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