Emsworth grandfather set to achieve lifelong wing walking dream in memory of brother cared for by Rowans Hospice

When 61-year-old Steve Parker was asked what was on his bucket list, the first thing that came to mind was standing 700ft in the air on the wing of a plane.

This sky-high challenge will take place on June 26, with the daring feat set to raise funds for Rowans Hospice, where Steve’s younger brother Nicky spent his last days after a battle with cancer.

Nicky died in April 2018 aged just 57, and the family were amazed by the loving care and comfort given by the hospice’s dedicated team.

Steve, who was very close to his brother, said: ‘Rowans is an important part of our community and I really wanted to give something back to them as a small way of saying thankyou.’

He added: ‘It was a big loss. It could happen to me, so it’s giving something back for the amount of money they’ve got to raise.’

This will be the first time grandfather-of-three Steve will take on a challenge like this, but he is more excited than nervous for the experience.

He added: ‘I’ll be up in the clouds, a bit closer to my brother I think.’

Steve’s son-in-law Richard Baker encouraged him to take on the challenge and raise funds for the hospice.

Richard, from Whiteley, said: ‘You might as well do it for a good cause because that’s quite a daring thing to do.

‘It’ll be a great achievement for him, it’s something he’s always wanted to do and why not do it for such a great cause?’

Richard was shocked at how much funding the hospice requires on a daily basis to run its services, which amounts to £19,655 every day.

‘If we can make a small amount to make a difference to someone’s life then obviously he’s done what he set out to do,’ said Richard.

‘I’m looking forward to going to watch him do it. I know he’ll do it because he has set his mind to do it and has his brother at the forefront of his mind.’