Cross-Channel wing-walker Tom Lackey, 89, raises cash for cancer charity

Oct 9 2009 by Diane Parkes, Birmingham Mail

VETERAN fundraiser Tom Lackey is to hand over £500 to Breakthrough Breast Cancer after becoming the oldest man to cross the English Channel on the wings of a plane.

The 89-year-old from Shirley spent nearly an hour in blustering winds crossing from Calais to Dover as part of the centenary celebrations of the first cross-Channel flight by Louis Bleriot in July. And since then he has been busy talking to groups about his experiences and raising money for the cancer charity – which he is supporting after his daughter Anne Joynson was diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells last year.

Tom, who has done 19 wing-walks, received the donation from Shirley Rotary Club after sharing tales of his experiences.