89-year-old fundraiser takes to the skies once again for Bristol Children’s Hospital

Posted on: 24 Sep 2020

The adrenaline-fuelled stunt was the latest in John Wilkins' fundraising activities in support of The Grand Appeal. 

 

For more than 20 years, 89-year old John Wilkins has undertaken adventurous fundraising activities in aid of Bristol Children’s Hospital. 

 

John’s daredevil antics have included skydives, abseils and wing walks, helping to raise over £350,000 for The Grand Appeal, the Children’s Hospital charity.

 

On Sunday, 20 September his latest fundraising escapade saw him take to the skies for a charity wing walk.

 

The stunt was due to take place on John’s 89th birthday in April but was postponed due to the pandemic, while he was shielding. Watch:

 

 

The former paratrooper also set up the charity’s parachute in the late 90s and has encouraged over 550 people to join him in the skies over the years.

 

In addition to his more extreme fundraising activities, John has also spent the last 19 years running a charity stall in the foyer of Bristol Children’s Hospital.

 

John said that after a strange few months, it was great to return to the skies and start fundraising for the charity again:

 

“It’s been an honour to work so closely with the charity over the years, and I hope to inspire more people to try something a bit different to help raise money for The Grand Appeal,” he said.

 

“[It’s] a charity that despite the challenges of the pandemic, has continued to provide incredible services to support the patients, families and staff at the children’s hospital.

 

 

Steph Benson, community fundraiser at the Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal, added:

 

“It is incredible to see John’s continued dedication to raising money for the charity, and we really enjoyed sharing his belated-birthday celebrations with him in true adrenaline-fuelled style.

 

“Our charity skydives and wing walks are the first in-person fundraising events we’ve been able to host since lockdown, so we’re incredibly grateful to all our fundraisers who are taking to the skies this weekend.”

 

As the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity, The Grand Appeal funds life-saving medical equipment, three family accommodation houses and 20 specialist support staff.

 

The charity also funds a programme of art, music and play in partnership with the hospital and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital.

 

Throughout lockdown, the charity has continued to provide its services, such as keeping parents close to their children in hospital in family accommodation, while alternative accommodation has been closed. 

 

You can donate to John's JustGiving page here. 

 

Alternatively, you can help raise money for The Grand Appeal with the charity's brand new virtual running event, The Grand Run.

 

From Sunday 27 September, the day that would have marked the start of the Bristol Half Marathon, runners, joggers and walkers can put their lockdown miles to good use with virtual routes set up around the city. 

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