A 95-YEAR-OLD man hopes to make it into the Guinness Book of Records as the World’s oldest person to do a wing walk.
John Symmonds hopes not only to gain a place in record breaking history, but to raise funds for Thames Hospice.
The palliative care organisation, where his beloved wife Ann was cared for two years ago, is very close to his heart, and relies on charitable donations to help fund its care.
Warfield grandfather, John, enjoys a very active social life, folk dancing, walking, and completing sudoku puzzles.
A cadet with St John’s Ambulance Brigade during the second world war, he provided first aid cover at cinemas and took calls at Slough Ambulance Headquarters.
And after serving in the Army as a medic from 1946 to 1949, in military hospitals in England, Egypt and Cyprus, he pursued a career in engineering.
A volunteer for the Berkshire Blind Society, now Berkshire Vision, he ran the Sough Branch for seven years, and served as a member of the society’s Management Committee.
John has also been a member of Datchet Morris, and Datchet Folk Dance Club for over 50 years.
The intrepid nonagenarian intends to make his wing walk this weekend, and has set up a fundraising page for people to support his endeavour in aid of Thames Hospice.
He says: “My beautiful wife, Ann, passed away in February 2021, supported by the wonderful Thames Hospice nurses.
“They not only gave Ann the most compassionate and caring support but also allowed my family to be her husband and her daughters.
“With their guidance and care Ann was surrounded by the love of her family when she passed.
“We cannot thank them enough.”
John says that he wants to try and pay back what he and the family received, and has decided to raise money at high altitude.
He says: “It’s the challenge of my life.
“I shall take to the skies, strapped to a small plane.
“At 95 years young I shall be the oldest wing walker in the world, and feature in the Guinness Book of World Records.
“As I ‘reach for the sky’, please sponsor my endeavor by donating what you can.
“Your generosity will ensure Thames Hospice are able to support many more families like mine and give others, like Ann, the dignity and compassion they deserve.”
Emma Andrews, community fundraiser at Thames Hospice knows John well.
She says: “John is such an inspiration, and his energy is incredible.
“He really is 95 years young.
“He is passionate about raising awareness and funding for us at Thames Hospice, and we are so proud of him.
“We can’t thank him enough, and will be thinking about him and sending him the best of luck.”
John, now known by the charity and his friends as #wingmanjohn, plans to take his aeronautical challenge at Rendcomb Airfield in Gloucestershire, on Tuesday, June 20.
Anyone wanting to support his fundraising event, should visit: www.justgiving.comand search for 1680619177039.
For information about the palliative care charity, visit: www.thameshospice.org.uk
