Whether he is a daredevil or an adrenaline junkie or, as his friend kindly put it, “off his rocker”, Charles G Wylie OBE has decided to celebrate his 90th birthday by jumping out of a plane.

Charles is doing the jump in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK, and in honour of his wife Jean, who has been living with Alzheimer’s for nine years.

“Alzheimer’s is like grieving for someone who is dead, who is still alive,” said Charles. “I get the occasional glimpse of Jean as she was which is stimulating and heart-breaking at the same time.” 

Charles and Jean have been married for 65 years. The pair met when Charles gate crashed a university dance. 

“I saw a girl across the dance floor who looked like Grace Kelly,” said Charles. “I asked her to dance and lived happily ever after.” 

According to research by the Alzheimer’s Society, 209,600 people will develop dementia this year. That’s one every three minutes. 

The fund with gift aid has reached over £20,000. But more is needed. Charles is asking for your help to help raise as much money as possible to fund more research. 

Charles said:  “Although it will not benefit Jean, whatever you feel you can afford could help to save billions of folk from this dreadful disease and allow them a joyful life.” 

Due to bad weather, Charles tandem parachute jump with The Red Devils, in Wiltshire, has been delayed to September 7 - so there’s still plenty of time to donate at https://www.justgiving.com/page/charles-wylie-1678789500363 

Charles is getting his letter appealing for donations far and wide, sending it to the prime minister and to his old navy connections - Charles was a Royal Navy commander for 39 years. 

Charles finished his appeal letter with this plea: “Don’t leave it free to attack your loved ones. 

“Let’s stop it in its tracks.”