[A] Cumbrian man confined to a wheelchair by Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is preparing for a charity paraglide off Skiddaw in the Lake District.
Tony Thompson, 59, from Keswick, is taking part in the tandem flight off England’s sixth highest mountain to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and support research into the rare condition.
Former teacher Tony was a well-known paraglider in the Lake District, and a member of Cumbria Soaring Club, before his Motor Neurone Disease was diagnosed last December. He is now confined to a wheelchair and needs assistance to move, eat and uses a computer to help him speak.
Tony plans to use an all-terrain wheelchair to get him to the summit of the mountain, and will take part in the tandem flight using a specially adapted paragliding buggy for disabled people.
Tony said: “I will complete a tandem paragliding flight from Skiddaw with Jocky Sanderson. I am hoping to use an all terrain wheelchair to get to the summit, but this may not be possible depending on the progress of my MND. I may need other people to assist me getting up the mountain.
“The idea is to get to the summit on a day that will be suitable to fly. I chose Skiddaw because it is fairly accessible and you can fly down in several different wind directions, but I also chose it because you can see it from my house, so I have a very personal connection to the mountain.
“The aim is to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and hopefully raise some money for the MND Association. It will obviously be a good opportunity for me to enjoy a paragliding flight – a hobby I am passionate about and have enjoyed for 14 years. All money raised will go to MND. I apologise for the poor punctuation etc but I have had to type this using my new head mouse.”
Tony’s daughter Sarah Mellodew, 33, who also lives in Keswick, said: “This is an unbelievable task that my dad is taking on. It’s a great challenge for anyone, let alone for someone with Motor Neurone Disease. It’s unthinkable really.
“It’s going to hurt and he’s going to struggle getting up there, but it just shows my Dad’s strength of character, to want to do something like this to raise awareness and vital funds to research MND. I’m so proud of him.
“The family would like to thank Jocky Sanderson and Keswick Mountain Rescue Team for helping make this happen.”
People can sponsor Tony by going online at: www.justgiving.com/flyTT
World renowned pilot, Jocky Sanderson, who is taking Tony on the flight, said: “It is a great honour to share any flight with a great man and fellow pilot.”
Tony lives in Portinscale, near Keswick, with his wife Julie. Their three daughters Vikki, Sarah, and Emily all live in Keswick and between them have five grandchildren, Joshua (9), Islay (4), Luis (7), Lottie (1) and Mia (3 months), with another on the way.
Motor Neurone Disease is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, attacking the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. It kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis.
It’s a devastating disease that affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time and kills six people every day. There is no cure.
The MND Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on MND care, research and campaigning.
Denise Davies, Head of Community Fundraising at the MND Association, said: “Without the amazing support of people like Tony, the MND Association simply would not be able to provide it’s vital support services, fund research to find a cure and campaign and raise awareness of MND. Together we are making a real difference for people affected by this devastating disease.”
