MOST NINETY-YEAR-OLDS celebrate their birthdays with a relaxing family get together.
But not Tom Lackey.
Solihull’s wingwalking grandpa extraordinaire turned 94 on May 27.
And instead of putting his feet up, he put his whole body up – up thousands of feet in the air and strapped on top of an aeroplane as he wingwalked from Lands End to the Scilly Isles.
In recent years Tom has raised over a million pounds for cancer charities – a cause close to his heart.
And the the fearless nonogenerian is asking for more of the same – urging anyone inspired by his aerial antics to donate to inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton who lost his high profile battle with cancer this month – but bravely raised millions of pounds before he died.
Stephen’s justgiving page can be found at: www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Sutton-TCT.
He has so far, in life and death, raised £3,964,878.86 – eclipsing his £1 million target.
“I hope anyone who appreciates my wingwalks will dig deep and donate to Stephen’s charity,” said Tom.
“What an amazing young man and what an amazing amount of money he has raised.”
Tom’s latest wingwalk was his hardest yet, with terrible weather conditions that so very nearly forced him – and his pilot Mike Dentith – to abandon the attempt.
But in true Tom Lackey style he refused to give up and battled the elements to complete the crossing, to a hero’s welcome, in just over an hour – and setting two more Guinness World Records in the process.
He broke his own record as the world’s oldest wingwalker and being the first person to wingwalk across to the Scilly Isles.
Tom is not legally able to get sponsored for his wingwalks, but raises money through talks, guest appearances and general donations from people inspired by his efforts.
To get in touch with him call 0121 744 1719
Youngsters on the Isles of Scilly turned out to greet the wingwalking legend.
Tom is urging anyone inspired by his wingwalk to donate to Stephen Sutton’s Just Giving campaign which has raised almost £4 million.
Tom himself has raised well over £1 million for cancer charities and other great causes.
