A SOMERSET man has taken to the skies for a daring wing walk - at the age of 90!
Gordon Carter joined the ranks of the UK’s oldest wing-walkers when he took to the skies for charity in memory of the son he lost to a brain tumour.
The great-grandfather, from Taunton, flew strapped to the top wing of a Boeing Stearman bi-plane, reaching speeds of up to 135mph above Dunkeswell Aerodrome near Honiton on August 10.
Gordon was raising funds and awareness for the charity Brain Tumour Research to mark the fifth anniversary of losing his eldest son, Martin, in August 2016 at the age of just 55.
Martin, who lived near Martock with Di, his partner of 29 years, ran a communications consultancy, but was formerly a journalist with the likes of the Western Daily Press, Swindon Advertiser and the Bridgwater Mercury, and later NHS communications director for Somerset and Dorset.
In May 2016, Martin was on holiday in Mauritius when he went to hospital suffering with an excruciating headache.
After a scan, Martin and Di were told he had an aggressive and inoperable glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour.
He was transferred back to Yeovil District Hospital, but just 13 weeks after his diagnosis, Martin died.
Di said: “Martin was a big personality; he loved life so much and was always full of the joys of life.
"He was like his dad in many respects, particularly with his love of life, but also in his love of literature and language. Gordon was a huge influence on him.
“Martin would be overjoyed that his dad was doing a wing-walk to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research. It is exactly what he would have wanted.
"Research into finding better outcomes for patients and ultimately a cure is so grossly underfunded.
“It’s lovely that Gordon is doing something to remember Martin and it’s an opportunity for others to remember him too.”
Family and friends turned out to watch Gordon complete his wing-walk challenge including three of Martin’s four siblings, Martin’s partner Di, three of Gordon’s 10 grandchildren and four of his six great grandchildren.
After his daring feat, Gordon said: “I was a little surprised at all the reaction to me doing a wing-walk at the age of 90. After all, I was strapped on so I couldn’t fall off!
“I am very grateful to everyone who has donated in Martin’s memory – the total to date is just over £2,000 including offline donations. It’s good to be helping to make a difference.”
Melanie Tiley, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are really grateful to Gordon for taking on this challenge in Martin’s memory and hope it inspires others to donate too.
"With 88% of brain tumour patients dying within five years of diagnosis, it’s vital we continue the fight to find a cure.”
To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research via Gordon’s fundraising page, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gordon-carter
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