An Angus octogenarian banned from skydiving by doctors has been given the green light following the sad news he has weeks left to live.
Denis Mellor from Montrose dreamed of flying through the air as an RAF driver and mechanic during National Service in the 1950s.
And last year he asked doctors about skydiving to raise funds for Montrose Day Care – but was informed his prescription list, including the common drug Warfarin, stopped him from doing so.
Two months ago the 83-year-old was told a lump on his eye was actually a form of melanoma, and it had already spread through his body.
He told The Courier: “I had a lump taken from my eye and then I had a scan done on my body, and that’s when they found the cancer.
“I saw the specialist and he said we’re going to stop some meds and one of them was warfarin. “When I went to my own doctor, he told me what was stopping and I said right can you fill in this form for me to do this skydive.”
Mr Mellor found solace at the drop-in centre during a period of family difficulty in 2010.
Originally from the Wirral in Merseyside, he was stationed in Inverbervie in 1953 where he met his late wife Maureen, and they married in 1954 before moving to England.
Having lived in Brechin since 1988, Mr Mellor moved to sheltered housing in Montrose in 2012, and visits the centre three times a week.
With the help of his granddaughter Michelle Quinn, Mr Mellor will take to the skies above Errol Airfield on August 17 to raise money.
Montrose Day Care is in Panmure Place but will relocate to the purpose-built Adam Centre at the former ambulance station in Warrack Terrace.
A legacy donation will fund most of the new centre but a shortfall must be met by fundraising.
Mr Mellor has already given £1,000 towards the new building this year but is keen to do more.
He said: “Time is running out for me – I want to give back to them for what they’ve given me.
“The management and staff are excellent. I’ve had some personal problems and they have stood by me, helped and supported me.”
Centre manager Irene Mitchell said: “Denis has been a great friend to us and because he has paid £400 in fees for the skydive out of his own pocket, we really want as many people as possible to donate and make his efforts count.”
Sponsor forms are available from the centre in Panmure Place, and pledges can be phoned in to 01674 672062.
Staff are also in the process of setting up an online method of donation and The Courier will print details when available.