The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has helped a war veteran who is recovering from cancer achieve his dream of completing a sky dive to raise money for MacMillan Nurses.
Ian Kneale-Barrow, 70, uses a wheelchair and suffers from multiple sclerosis, but he passed a medical to undertake the ‘piggyback’ jump, carried out with the Army, from 15,000 feet.
He travelled to Skydive Hibaldstow centre in North Lincolnshire with his wife, Rusty, who is also a wheelchair user.
‘I’ve had such tremendous support from MacMillan Nurses and wanted to undertake a challenge in order to give something back to the organisation,’ explained Ian, who lives in Castletown. ‘It was an incredible experience doing the sky dive and I’d like to thank everyone who made it possible, including the Steam Packet Company for providing free travel for us to the UK.’
Ian did his military service with an airborne unit that travelled all over the world, working chiefly in the Middle East, until he was taken ill while training in Switzerland and underwent life-changing surgery. After being discharged from the Army on medical grounds, he became a teacher in Norfolk, before returning to the Isle of Man to teach fencing at Ramsey Grammar School. Since his retirement Ian has competed as a wheelchair fencer for Great Britain at international level.
If anyone would like to make a donation towards MacMillan Nurses, they can send a cheque to ‘Macmillan Nurses’ c/o Noble’s Hospital – with “Sky Dive Ian Kneale-Barrow” on the reverse side of the cheque.
MacMillan Nurses are part of MacMillan Cancer Support, which operates in the Isle of Man, England, Scotland and Wales.
Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We were only too happy to support Ian’s wonderful efforts to raise money for such a vital charity. Ian’s fight against cancer and his determination to undertake this sky dive show what a strong character he is and we congratulate him on his achievement.’
Photo - Ian Kneale-Barrow (left) with instructor Rob Spour of Skydive Hibaldstow
