A RAF veteran has taken part in a tandem skydive from 14,500ft, to raise money for the RAF Association’s Wings Appeal and his fellow servicemen.
Ninety-two-year-old John Hitchmough, who was born just three months after the Air Force was officially formed, returned to the skies more than 70 years after signing to the RAF in 1938 as a reserve.
During his time with the service, he was called up to serve in both Sierra Leone and Cape Town.
John carried out his skydive at Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria, and has officially become the oldest person to make a tandem sky dive on the site.
Speaking after the dive, John said; “Since I had applied to do the skydive, I have had many people asking me why I decided to do it, particularly at the age of 92, and the reason is simply that I don’t feel ready to stop having adventures yet.
“While I am still fit and well I thought I would take the opportunity to actively do something for the men and women who are fighting for our country.
“I have been a life member of the RAF Association for many years and thought of this as my chance to give something back.
“The skydive was a great thrill, I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would – it was much better than expected. If there is a more exciting thing that you can do I certainly don’t know what it is.
“Now that I have done the skydive I am considering doing another sort of challenge, wing walking is something that interests me so that is something to think about.”
John has managed to raise more than £800 in sponsorship from his skydive, and will continue collecting over the next few weeks. To sponsor John visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JohnHitchmough
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