Brave grandad shaken not stirred in epic challenge for children’s hospic

19 Jun 2019 09:40
Published by: Daniel Almond

 

A LANCASHIRE grandad is recreating one of the most famous movie stunts ever performed by James Bond to raise money for Derian House – and it’s so scary he needs a letter from his doctor to do it!

 

Adventurous Malcolm Graham, 72, of Warrington, is throwing himself off the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland – made famous when 007 did the jump himself in the opening scene of GoldenEye.

 

The brave businessman, who has run Brick Store in Wigan for nearly 30 years, said he’s not nervous about the epic challenge, describing it as: “Seven seconds of fun... if it’s eight you know you’re in trouble!”

 

The daring feat, taking place on July 12, aims to raise £20,000 for Derian House – Lancashire’s children’s hospice. And plucky Malcolm has already raised £15,000 towards his target.

 

“I was first drawn to the idea after hearing about the excellent work Derian does at a charity golf day organised by our suppliers Ibstock Brick Ltd,” said adventurous Mal.

 

“I thought if I’m going to do something I might as well do it properly and I that’s why I picked Verzasca Dam as it’s one of the best stunts ever. The James Bond angle gave it some more interest, but of course Pierce Brosnan had a stuntman!

 

“Because I’ve over 65 they wouldn’t let me do it without written permission from a doctor who put me through my paces, measuring my weight and blood pressure.”

 

Malcolm claims he isn’t an adrenalin junkie, with his only other jaunt into the world of extreme sports being a bungee jump over a pub car park 10 years ago.

 

But he isn’t letting that put him off, and can’t wait to take on the 700ft jump (more than one-and-a-half times the height of Blackpool Tower).

 

Malcolm’s wife Ange will take the trip to Switzerland to support him and the pair will enjoy a four-day break afterwards to recover.

 

Kevin Bedford, Fundraising Manager at Derian House, said: “Our fantastic supporters do some weird and wonderful things to raise money for our children here at Derian House, but I have to say this is a first! We can’t wait to hear how Malcolm gets on with this awe-inspiring challenge and we sincerely thank him for making a real difference to the lives of our families.”

 

To sponsor Mal, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/malcdoes007forderian

 

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