Ninety-one-year-old Jim Wood’s Wing Walk
Ninety-one-year-old Jim will take on a daring Wing Walk for Primrose Hospice after covid delayed his bucket list dream for a year.
Ex-serviceman Jim Wood had wanted to take on the daredevil challenge in May 2020 for his milestone 90th birthday.
However, as the country went into lockdown, Jim’s Wing Walk dreams had to be put on hold.
Jim, from Rubery, said: “I was really disappointed it had to be cancelled as I had wanted to do it as part of my 90th birthday celebrations.
Jim Wood is looking forward to his Wing Walk
“However, as it is something I have always wanted to do I am determined to go ahead this year and accomplish it.”
Jim is now working hard at the gym to make sure he is fit and healthy to take on the challenge at a private airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in July.
As well as the new exercise regime, he has spoken with his GP and self-certified that he is fit to take part in the Wing Walk.
Jim, who is a working musician, said: “I am going to the local gym to limber up and get ready for clambering about the aircraft.
“I love flying and I don’t mean sitting in a cigar tube with a lot of other people. I like to feel the wind in my face.
“I have a friend who flies a microlight and I used to cadge flights whenever I could before the pandemic hit us.”
Flying is Jim’s passion, and he is a member of the RAFA as well as a member of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Club along with being a trustee of Tettenhall Transport Museum.
His wife Ruth is a part of the Primrose Choir and she has always supported local hospices after several friends were supported by hospices at the end of life.
The 67-year-old will be at the airfield watching Jim though jokingly admits: “I will have my eyes shut.
“I will watch him really and I am excited for him because I know it’s what he wanted to do.”
While they missed out on holding the Wing Walk as part of his 90th, this year’s flight will fall on another celebration – the couple’s 17th wedding anniversary.
Community fundraiser Lucy Perkins with Jim and Ruth Wood
They will also hope to be joined by two of Jim’s sons, Alex and Ian, as long as Covid rules allow it.
Jim added: “I am looking forward to this experience so that I can cross it off my to do list and I thank Primrose Hospice for giving me the opportunity.”
Lucy Perkins, community fundraiser for Primrose Hospice, said: “We are so pleased Jim is able to fulfill his dream of wing walking this year.
“His determination has been incredible and the money he raises will allow Primrose Hospice to continue to support people with life-limiting conditions as well as bereaved adults and children in north east Worcestershire.”
To sponsor Jim, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ruth-wood23.
Do you want to take on a challenge for Primrose Hospice? You can take on wing walks, skydives or the Virtual London Marathon. For more information, email events@primrosehospice.org.
