Running with terminal cancer
We looped the loop and did barrel rolls – memories that will stay with me for ever
A friend from my teenage sea scout days heard about my health situation and called out of the blue last week.
Julian offered me a few days away to train and stay in his house in the beautiful village of Kingsdon, Somerset.
As if that wasn’t enough, when I arrived he’d arranged for a local pilot to take me up for a spin in a Chipmunk training plane.
I’ve never flown – except as a paying passenger – and to get my 6ft 3in body into the tiny cockpit of this beautiful 1950s aeroplane was a challenge.
But pilot John wanted to give me the ride of my life. Within minutes we were doing loop-theloops and barrel rolls. Then it was my turn at the controls. Talk about taking me out of my comfort zone!
Two days later I had another amazing experience – gliding. That was followed by another spin (literally) in the Chipmunk.
Thank you, Julian and John. The memories will stay with me for ever.
Yet again I’ve been lucky out of adversity. And my few days away gave me added impetus to plan what, in turn, I can do for others.
I don’t have an aeroplane or a holiday cottage. But I do have some time and skills that I realise would make a difference to others.
My favourite cause is to do more for prostatecanceruk.org. I have a big challenge planned for later this year and I’ve realised I need get more people involved – to increase the positive impact on them and help other families affected by this terrible disease.
I’m sure you must have a skill or attribute others could benefit from. This week perhaps you could find a way to share it and make a difference to others? Until next week.