An Angus woman set to jump from a plane as a tribute to her departed friend has been “dumbstruck” by national interest in her efforts.
Montrose man Denis Mellor had been due to skydive over Perthshire on August 17, but was sadly too ill to realise an ambition he had harboured since his national service days in the RAF.
The 83-year-old had terminal cancer and was only sanctioned to make the drop from Errol Airfield because drugs were having no effect on his prognosis.
Staff at the Montrose Day Care Centre which was to benefit from the 83-year-old’s bravery have been devastated by the pensioner’s death and facility manager Irene Mitchell pledged to face her fears and tackle the parachute jump in honour of Denis.
Following articles in The Courier, national media took up the story and Irene is more motivated than ever to complete the jump on Sunday.
“I’ve been dumbstruck by the amount of interest there has been,” she said. “And lots of it from outside Montrose.
“The phone has been ringing and ringing, and people from all over have been asking about what they can do to help, and how they can donate.
“It’s the best thing I can do for Denis, carrying on his wishes, just like he intended.”
Earlier this month, The Courier revealed how Denis had finally been given the go-ahead to skydive having previously been banned from it by specialists because he was being treated with the drug Warfarin.
Sadly his condition worsened with the recent discovery of a melanoma on his eye, but when doctors took him off the drug the Wirral-born octogenarian seized the chance to have the medical clearance certificate signed for the parachute challenge.
He had paid for the Errol Airfield jump from his own pocket, determined to raise as much money as possible for the Montrose centre, which he said had supported him through difficult times.
Irene said Denis had been determined to go ahead with the event but was too ill to travel and sadly passed away the next day.
The pensioner’s skydive fundraising efforts had already generated good support through the day care centre’s JustGiving page.
Visit www.justgiving.com/montrosedaycare to donate to Irene’s efforts.
The centre is planning a move to Warrack Terrace, at the former ambulance station.
“It would be nice to have something permanent at the new centre by which people can remember Denis,” Irene added.