THE TRUSTY slippers and favourite arm chair are being left on solid ground as a 92-year-old prepares to take take to the skies once more.
From the age of 17 Frank Spencer spent most of his working life on the front line after signing up to the Parachute Regiment during the Second World War.
But now, a year later than planned due to Covid restrictions, the Balsall Common pensioner is getting ready for take off once more in memory of his wife.
Now all fingers are crossed for him to take to the skies on August 28 in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society and the Lily Mae Foundation – 41 years after retiring as a paratrooper.
Frank moved to the borough three years ago to be closer to his daughter, Carol Gill when his wife needed more support with her vascular dementia.
When she died two years ago he got involved with a group supporting people living with dementia and was determined to help them.
He heard the Balsall Common-based charity the Lily Mae Foundation, which supports families that have suffered baby loss, was putting together a skydiving group and signed up.
So far he has raised £986 online – but he can also be found outside the Co-Op store on Kenilworth Road in Balsall Common with his bucket collecting money for the charities.
Frank’s daughter, Carol, said: “He states that his aim is to raise money for the charities and not to blow his own trumpet about his past career, as he said he was only one of many then and he is only one of many now.”
During his 32-year career in the armed forces Frank served across the Middle East and was active in many countries.
Over the years he survived being shot twice, his jeep blowing up and becoming tangled up in another soldier’s parachute,
The great-grandfather has also beaten more recent battles since leaving the force, having just recovered from cancer.
Ryan Jackson, founder at the Lily Mae Foundation, said: “We feel honoured to have a man like Frank fundraising for the Lily Mae Foundation, he is an inspiration too many and an all round lovely person.
“We can’t wait to be there to support his skydive in August.”
For more or to donate online visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FrankSpencer92
