Northenden Captain James Palmer and Lady Captain Estelle Spence have combined forces to support their selected charities in their year of office. James has chosen Alzheimer’s Research and Estelle the Melanoma Fund
James said: “Between Estelle and myself, we’ve given the membership a whole raft of different opportunities to donate to our charities. Sometimes jointly, sometimes as separate events.
“These have included: Charity Sale of watercolour paintings from the club art class, our inaugural Longest Drive Championships, Lady Captains Prize’ day with multiple fundraising opportunities and the outstanding effort by an 80 year old member, John Dwyer who did a charity sky dive helping us raise about £2,500 for our charities. We call him Geronimo John!!”
John, a former athlete and talented footballer as well as a very useful golfer is also a key member of the South Manchester Swifts Society and earlier this year assembled some nesting boxes on the clubhouse wall for local swifts to use, outlined his skydiving experiences: “Ten years ago to celebrate my 70th birthday I undertook a skydive for charity at the Army Parachute Association in Wiltshire.
“Fast forward ten years and I ditched my putter to celebrate my 80th birthday and raise funds for the Captains’ Charities and repeated the experience at the same venue which saw me jumping out of a plane two miles high and reach speeds of up to 187mph to race past my swift friends.
“I was sponsored by family, friends and Northenden members to raise the £2,500 and I would like to thank them all for their support and generosity.”
John (centre) with Estelle and James
Copy & image: Geoff Garnett
