A DARING nonagenarian raised more than £4,000 after he jumped out of a plane.
Dennis Moulton, a resident in Care UK’s Dashwood Manor, in Bradley Way, Basingstoke took to the skies earlier this year and jumped out of a plane at 15,000 feet.
The 90-year-old raised the funds in aid of the end-of-life charity Marie Curie, which provides care to people with terminal illness in its hospices and people’s own homes across the UK.
A total of £4,005 was raised – £1,000 over his target.
Dennis said: “I can’t believe we raised so much it’s marvellous. People gave so much, and I would like to thank everyone who donated. I was very proud to give Marie Curie the cheque in person.”
Dennis recently turned 90 and his birthday wish was to raise funds by jumping out of a plane and hand over the cheque to Marie Curie. In July, Sally Samsom, community fundraiser for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, visited the home to meet with Dennis and thank him herself.
Sally said: “What a huge inspiration you are Dennis! Thank you for undertaking this incredible challenge on behalf of Marie Curie. The money raised will go towards supporting people all over the UK living with a terminal illness, and their loved ones. From everyone at Marie Curie, we hope you had a very happy 90th birthday.”
Regional director at Care UK, Eileen Coyle-Jones, and customer relations manager at Dashwood Manor, Leahanne Wilkinson, who jumped out the plane with Dennis, were also there on the day to present Marie Curie with the cheque.
Meanwhile Dil Perera, the home manager at the care home, said the team “are ecstatic” that Dennis “smashed” his target.
Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the new care home, which opened in September 2021, has space for hobby and leisure activities and luxury facilities such as a café, hair and beauty salon, cinema and bar, and gardens.
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