Bob's 35 hundred feet for St Michael's
Bob’s 35 hundred feet for St Michael’s
There are not many men, aged 85, who are learning to fly a helicopter as a means of coping with the challenge of living with incurable liver cancer.
One such chap is Bob Purvis. Bob is the former President of the Ross-on-Wye Branch of The Royal British Legion, a former President of Ross Town Band and more recently he initiated the formation of The Light Infantry & Rifles Association in Ross-on-Wye.
After his first two lessons, with Captain Alan Ramsden, of Tiger Helicopters Shobdon, Bob added a fundraising twist by setting himself the challenge of flying a helicopter at 35 hundred feet above St Michael’s in Bartestree. Bob has already learned how to control a helicopter in forward flight and how to hover. He has another 44 hours to accomplish, of which 10 hours has to be solo so that he can achieve his Helicopter Licence.
Bob said, ‘Children from the age of 14 can learn to fly a helicopter, so being diagnosed with cancer wasn’t going to stop me.
‘Tiger Helicopters offer a free Air Experience Flight and after I first experienced the thrill of taking control of a Robinson 22 Helicopter I was hooked.
‘Living with cancer makes you appreciate just how crucial Hospice care is and I hope taking to the skies will encourage people to dig deep and donate to a worthwhile cause.’
St Michael’s Hospice Community Fundraising Manager Paddy Nugent said, ‘Bob is a real inspiration and it’s wonderful that he has chosen to support St Michael’s with such a unique challenge.’
To find out more and to support Bob’s challenge visit: