Wellington man, 86, taking on skydive for Alzheimer's Society
An 86-year-old man is set to complete his fourth skydive to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society.Brian Standring, who lives in Wellington, Somerset, has supported the charity since his "dear, longstanding friend" Alan was diagnosed with the condition in 2012. Mr Standring is hoping to raise £2,000 by completing Saturday's skydive at Dunkeswell Airfield to mark Dementia Action Week."It's breathtaking," he said, adding that it was "quite outstanding to see the world from up there".
"You're in the door and then suddenly you're flying," he told the BBC. "You don't feel anything, just this intense noise and the wind and then everything opens up and it all slows down."It's just an amazing, amazing view."
But it is not just the thrill of the skydive that appeals to Mr Standring - it is also an opportunity to raise money for a deeply personal cause. Having helped care for his friend, Mr Standring became involved with the Alzheimer's Society and has spent much of the past decade supporting people with the condition, as well as raising awareness of it. "I've been passionate about trying to do something, whatever it might be, to help people with dementia," he said.Mr Standring has earned awards for his work with the organisation, sat on its volunteer advisory panel and helped organise fundraising efforts at his home.
Describing his feelings ahead of his latest skydive, he said: "I'm looking forward to it. I know what I'm going to feel like - I'm going to have more of those great feelings and the view again."But the end game is I'm hoping to raise a bit more money for Alan, and for dementia, and for those people that look after those living [with the disease] - the carers and the families. All their lives change."
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