Fundraiser Bill reaches for the skies

A SKY diving septuagenarian is set to make his high-altitude fund-raising efforts a family affair when his grandson joins him in a 15,000ft leap of faith.

Brave Bill Barron, of Rockingham, will take to the skies with his grandson Carl (22) on May 19—the day after his 78th birthday.

But Bill will have to complete the daredevil fund-raising feat without the official support of his chosen charity.

The 77-year-old is keen to hand the proceeds of his parachute jump—set to take place at Hibaldstow, near Scunthorpe—to MacMillan Cancer Support but the charity have had to refuse any part in his money-spinning scheme.

MacMillan, who supported the wife of Bill’s friend, Keith Moxon, when she suffered with cancer, cannot support any potentially life-threatening fund-raisers as it would void their insurance.

Bill said: “I called MacMillan to tell them what I was going to do and they told me that they were very sorry but I couldn’t complete a skydive for them, their insurance wouldn’t allow it.

“I won’t be wearing a MacMillan T-shirt but I don’t suppose they can refuse the money if I choose to give it to them after the event. They really deserve our support.

“Keith’s wife, Pam, died in October but MacMillan had been fantastic for her.

“Both Keith and Pam have been a great support to me over the years and never missed a visit when my late wife, Alma, was poorly. This is my thank you to Keith.”

Bill’s wife, Alma, died in 2009 after suffering from severe dementia for five years.

Following her death Bill completed his first sky dive for the Alzeimers Society on May 19 last year—Alma’s birthday and the day before his own.

He said: “It was awful to see her deteriorate over the years but our family and friends were so supportive.

“One of the best things about this year’s sky dive is that my grandson, Carl, will be joining me. He and his sister, Zoe, have been a great support to me over the years.

“The jump is going to be a real family affair. I can’t wait.”

Bill has already set up a website to support his fund-raising jump in an effort to raise more than £1,000 for charity.

Anyone wanting to donate to the cause should visit www.justgiving.com/bill-barron.