Grandad Colin set to jump from plane for Sport Relief
A 71-YEAR-OLD grandad is gearing up for a 12,000ft skydive – despite never having set foot in a plane before.
Fitness fan Colin Moody is no ordinary pensioner, running up to five miles every weekend and going to circuit classes at his local gym twice a week.
He has also taken part in plenty of sponsored walks, runs and events to raise more than £40,000 for various charities over the years.
But he’s now ready to take on a new challenge, and this time he’s literally reaching for the sky.
For his next charity stunt, Colin will be hurling himself out of a plane for a skydive in aid of Sport Relief.
And if that wasn’t enough, the challenge becomes all the more daunting for Colin, because he’s never flown before, has never even stepped foot on a plane and doesn’t even own a passport.
“The highest I’ve ever been was when I was a concrete worker on an 80ft bridge in Cardiff,” said Colin, from Treherbert in the Rhondda.
“I’ve never been on a plane. When the kids were small, we couldn’t really afford to go abroad and since then I’ve never really had the chance to. I don’t even own a passport.
“I’ve been to Alton Towers and went on the rides there. They were quite high, but that was around 20 years ago.”
Colin has signed up to take part in the skydive alongside rugby star Gareth “Alfie” Thomas and a group of other pensioners who have never parachuted before.
“My wife found out about it on Facebook – Alfie was looking for old age pensioners to take part,” he said.
“I’d always wanted to do it, ever since I took my son to do one years ago.
“Alfie said to me: ‘Good god, you’ve never flown on a plane before and now you’re going up and jumping out of one – that’s a big thing.’
“And it is a big thing. But I’m glad I’m blinking attached to somebody – put it that way.
“I’ve got four lovely grandkids, a lovely home and a nice wife – I’ve got a lot to lose if something goes wrong. But I know I’m in good hands.
“I’m trying not to think about it too much. I just wanted to do something different, although if you ask me next week and I might not feel the same.
“I just wanted to do something to give something back. That’s what gives me the biggest buzz.”
Over the years, Colin has raised thousands for charities like Ty Hafan children’s hospice and Macmillan cancer care, as well as local schools and support groups.
He’s taken part in the Great North Run, Cardiff Half Marathon and a host of sponsored funruns and walks.
But it hasn’t always been easy for Colin, who only started exercising when he was 41 after realising he needed to improve his health and lose a lot of weight.
“I saw a photo of myself – I was 17 stone. I thought, ‘Good God, Colin you’re going to die here.’ I was a right couch potato.
“So, I started walking and training at the local sport centre and it went from there.
“I lost a lot of weight, although I’m still nice and chunky. I’m 13 and a half stone now. But it’s really helped my quality of life.”
He added: “I feel very, very fortunate. My wife sometimes says to me: ‘Have you got to be so bloody happy in the mornings Colin?’ and I say ‘Yes, yes I do!.’
“My name is Moody, but I’m actually not that moody at all.
“I may not be lucky money-wise, but I am in my life and wellbeing – life is wonderful!
“Whenever I’m out running, I look to the sky and say thank you.
“I enjoy life – although I do sometimes like a pint too.”