Alan took on the wing walking challenge as part of his tenure as Masonic Lodge Master of Etheldreda Lodge 2107 in Newmarket. This year the Freemasons celebrate 300 years of freemasonary and in keeping with their tradition of supporting local charities, Alan chose Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Cambridgeshire’s only adult hospice, and Little Miracles, the children’s charity, to benefit from the £2100 raised from his challenge.
Whilst Alan raised thousands of pounds, he also had to shed a few kilos in weights! Wing walking requires participants to be within a specific weight range in order to be able to take part and so as well as the day of the flight itself Alan’s challenge encompassed months of planning and preparation to slim down! On the day, as well as a fly-by at 50ft above the ground the biplane reaches speeds of 135mph: the effect of which was felt in full by Alan, harnessed above the pilot in the middle of the aeroplane’s wings.
Kath Austin, Community Fundraiser from Arthur Rank hospice Charity said “Alan’s challenge was certainly unique and daring! His nerves of steel were tested and he passed with flying colours! As a charity that relies heavily on community support to fund our services we are so grateful to Alan for not only taking on such a courageous feat but also raising such a great total for both us and Little Miracles. His YouTube video is well worth a watch but it isn’t for the faint-hearted!”
See photos of Alan's daring feat at http://www.arhc.org.uk/news-item.asp?$=1108&o= or view the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYfOrPdPBo
To support Alan's fundraising, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AlanDelaune
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity (Registered Charity No 1133354) support people in Cambridgeshire who are living with a life-limiting illness. Our care and services are provided free of charge to patients, to help them and their loved ones to make every moment count. We are best known for delivering vital care to over 1000 patients each year through our specialist palliative Inpatient Unit, day therapy and Hospice at Home Services. However the range of services the Charity provides is much broader comprising of the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment centre in Wisbech, patient and family support (including counselling, bereavement and spiritual support), lymphoedema care, complementary therapy, transport services and small grants which collectively provide more than 2000 further two thousand episodes of care to patients. To supplement the NHS contribution, the Charity are required to raise £2.85 million annually to fund the additional services provided by the Hospice. Our professional, compassionate and practical services deliver care, counselling and education, helping patients to live well and their families to live on. Please see arhc.org.uk for further information.
Arthur Rank Hospice moved to its new £10.5 million home in Shelford Bottom in November 2016. Services and care are now delivered from state-of-the-art facilities which have been purpose-built with great consideration for patient need, also allowing for increased service capacity within a wonderfully spacious, attractive and therapeutic environment. The move enabled the Inpatient Unit to increase from 12 to a total of 23 beds.
Little Miracles (Registered Charity No. 1160178) supports families across the Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket area with children who have additional needs. We provide free sessions every Saturday as well as regular trips and events. We offer a vital support network including a family worker, sensory advice, DLA and benefits advice and activities for children of any age with additional needs. Please see littlemiraclescharity.org for further information.
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