I am in my 80s and will be doing a sky dive with my daughter to help my wife
An 89-year-old man from Lostock Hall is getting set to brave dizzying new heights with a sky dive later this month.
Alfred Cook will be jumping out of a plane on Saturday, September 21, along with with his daughter Judith, 58.
The duo have decided to brave the challenge to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society after wife and mum Maureen was diagnosed with the heartbreaking condition seven years ago.
Alf, whose idea it was, said: “At the grand old age of 89 I am doing something I have always wanted to do which is a sky dive.
“I have chosen to do this for Alzheimer's Research UK as my much loved wife of 64 years was diagnosed with with it seven years ago.
“It is a cruel disease were you lose a little bit more of the person you love every day.”
Every year worldwide over 10 million people are diagnosed with dementia, that is one person every 3.2 seconds.
Alzheimer's Research UK are the UK's leading Alzheimer's research charity aiming to find a cure for dementia.
Get the latest headlines, straight to your inbox, with The Gazette’s free emails Alf, who has also appeared on Radio Lancashire to chat about his pending sky dive, added: “Judith will be doing this with me. It was my idea.
“We are are doing this from Cark Airfield at Flookborough with no prior training involved.
“We are both excited and nervous about this.
“My wife and I have been married for 64 years.
“She has deteriorated over the last seven years since she was diagnosed.
“She has gone from being able to do jobs around the house, cooking cleaning, washing and ironing to being able to do nothing.
“She cannot remember anything.”
If you would like to make a donation to Alfred's fundraiser for Alzheimer's Society click HERE.