Exeter resident Michael Jordan planned to start his 90th year in style by taking on a Wing Walk to raise funds for Hospiscare.
Mike is a long-term supporter of Hospiscare and has taken part in our charity’s annual Men’s Walk fundraising event since 2020 in memory of his brother, Tony, who spent his final days on the hospice ward in Exeter.
Mike explains, “We’re a family of five boys and we’re all very close. Tony was the second eldest and he was a policeman in Exeter. He started out walking the beat in Exeter and then they moved out to Middlemoor and he gradually rose through the ranks before retiring.
“Tony was diagnosed with throat cancer about six years ago. It was a slow progressing cancer, and he had a lot of support from Hospiscare. He eventually died in the hospice itself, which is where he wanted to be at the end. I’ve supported Hospiscare ever since.
“I’m registered blind, and I’ve been able to support the hospice with Men’s Walk for the last five years. I took a tumble the second year I took part, just as I was coming up to Exe Bridges. I had a lot of nasty scrapes but the volunteers from St John’s Ambulance cleaned me up and took me to the Mill on the Exe and I carried on from there!
Mike taking part in this year’s Men’s Walk
“I’ve always had an ambition to do a Wing Walk, but never thought I would be able to. With my 90th birthday coming up, I thought it would be a good way to celebrate and do something for the charity.”
Mike had planned to celebrate his 90th birthday on the wings of a biplane earlier this month, but due to circumstances out of his control, his challenge was sadly cancelled.
Determined to complete his Wing Walk and honour his fundraising, Mike reached out to other Wing Walk companies, only to find some had a maximum age limit of 80.
Knowing that his local hospice and all those who had donated were counting on him, Mike looked further afield and as a result, will travel all the way to Cirencester on 20 August to complete his life-long ambition.
Mike celebrated his 90th birthday at home with family and friends, rather than in the skies as he’d planned
Mike is self-funding his Wing Walk to ensure that all the money he raises via his JustGiving page goes directly to caring for local people living with a terminal illness. Despite the cancellation of his original birthday plan, Mike has raised over £1,000 for Hospiscare.
Mike’s family surprised him with aviator-related gifts on his 90th birthday
Mike continues, “I’m always on the go – I think I’m the sort of person who can’t stay still! As I was getting older, I was looking for things to do. I abseiled down the side of the Exeter College building for my 70th and I wanted to do a skydive for my 80th, but I had so much opposition from my family that in the end, I decided I wouldn’t.
“My wife is worried about me taking on a Wing Walk, but she’ll be there on the day. We celebrated 67 years of marriage in June this year and she’s always been by my side.
Mike and his wife celebrating 67 years of marriage earlier this year
“People ask if I’m getting apprehensive about the challenge, and I say no, it’s something I’m looking forward to. I hope that when it’s all done, I can celebrate by going to Blackpool and riding on The Big Dipper. It’s one of the oldest surviving wooden rides in the world, and it was built in 1935, just like me! It would really be something to take on this challenge and make a difference to Hospiscare, then ride the Big Dipper to celebrate.”
To support Mike’s Wing Walk for Hospiscare, click here.
Inspired by Mike’s story? Why not take on a challenge for Hospiscare…
