This incredible video shows a daredevil OAP completing a skydive from 11,000 ft in memory of his late partner - before joking 'thank God for solid ground'.<br /><br />Heartwarming footage shows Tom Lowery, 76, leaping from the aircraft, waving and putting his thumbs up to the camera above the skies in Salford.<br /><br />The sprightly septuagenarian took the plunge to raise funds for the hospice that cared for his partner Joan Lyons, 78, who died last March from a brain tumour.<br /><br />Before the jump, Tom said he was 'looking forward to it', but after completing the challenge he said he was 'glad to be back on solid ground.'<br /><br />Upon landing, the army veteran, who served in the Royal Signals, said: "I really enjoyed it, it was incredible, absolutely incredible – but I’m so glad to be back on solid ground.<br /><br />"I loved it, but if I do anything else for charity it’ll be marathons, not another jump."<br /><br />Asked what his favourite part was, he said: "Landing."<br /><br />The retired HGV driver decided to raise money for St Ann's Hospital in Little Hulton, Gtr Manchester, because of the 'excellent care' Joan received from the hospice.<br /><br />Joan, who was with Tom for 24 years, died after a three-month battle with a brain tumour in March last year. <br /><br />Tom, of Salford, said: "I wanted to take on a challenge for Joan so that I could show my appreciation to St Ann’s for all the support they gave us.<br /><br />"Joan had been ill for three months with a brain tumour. <br /><br />"She received excellent care from St Ann’s Hospice despite being in the throws of the latter months of the pandemic."<br /><br />Tom, who has previously bungee jumped three times, added: "We all want to raise as much money as possible for such a great cause that supported Joan. <br /><br />"Her last days were spent peacefully at the hospice and their incredible staff provided our family with kindness, support and a much-needed sense of peace at the end of her life."<br /><br />Tom has prostate cancer so was unable to take on a 24 hour walk or marathon, as the medication would make him 'too weak.' <br /><br />So instead, he decided to take on a sky dive as it's 'the next best thing.'<br /><br />Speaking before the jump, Tom said: "I have prostate cancer so the drugs that I’m on have made me too weak to take on a 24 hour walk or a marathon. <br /><br />"This is the next best thing I can do; I’ve never done a parachute jump before so I’m very excited."<br /><br />Joan's daughter Julie Bennion said her mum would be 'extremely proud' of Tom. <br /><br />She said: "He’s a real breath of fresh air and we’re extremely proud of him… as mum would be."<br /><br />Anne-Marie Wynee, the head of fundraising at the charity, said: "We are so delighted that Tom completed his amazing challenge to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice – he’s braver than all of us.<br /><br />"Every single donation makes a difference and helps us to continue providing the vital care and support to all those who visit our hospice."<br /><br />Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thomaslowery to donate to Tom's fundraising.
