Birthday skydive in memory of Exeter Lion

News Desk
Authored by News Desk
Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2018 - 7:01pm

The sky is the limit for Exeter Lions Club President Julian Chadwick who is taking up the challenge of lifetime and making a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet in aid of The Lions International Blood Research Appeal (LIBRA) – a charity which raises funds to tackle blood cancers.

Julian is set to make his sponsored jump on his 72nd birthday on 1st July 2018 at the Dunkeswell Aerodrome.  He is making the special birthday jump in memory of the well-known Exeter Lion President Mike Welsh who sadly died of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

Julian has been planning his jump for some months, having first contacted LIBRA in March 2018.

Julian received a skydive information pack and quickly decided on the tandem jump, which means he will be strapped to a professional. He booked his jump through LIBRA event partners Skyline, who helped her secure a jump date at the nearest spot to his home.

Julian is keen to raise as much as possible for LIBRA and said: “I chose to support LIBRA as it is such a worthy cause and I thought that making the jump on my birthday in memory of Mike would make it extra special.

"All funds raised will help professors at King’s College Hospital in London develop new and improved treatments for patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia including a vaccine for the disease. I hope that people will donate on my fundraising page which is available at www.libralionscharity.org.”

Speaking of his friend he went on to say: “I first met Mike when he joined Exeter Lions Club along with his wife Margaret about five years ago. He quickly established himself as a hardworking, dependable member of the club. He was elected as President of the Exeter Lions Club in April 2017 and took office in July of that year.

“Sadly, he died on 14th February this year in Hospice care overwhelmed by infection because of developing Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. This is a devastating disease that took Mike in a matter of months. Mike was a very fit man who regularly cycled and would think nothing of cycling 30 or 40 miles when he went out.”

LIBRA Chairman Andrew Lodge added: “We wish Julian the very best with his jump and we are so grateful to him for choosing to support LIBRA in memory of his dear friend and fellow Lion.

"We are working tirelessly to raise funds so that people suffering with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia have the very best treatments available to them. The funds raised by Mike will make a real difference.”

Julian is calling for support ahead of the jump and hopes to raise sponsorship via his Virgin Money Giving page which can be accessed via www.libralionscharity.org/blog/birthday-skydive.
www.libralionscharity.org

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