Octogenarian to skydive for Bristol Older People’s Forum

In what should be a year to celebrate an important milestone, Bristol Older People’s Forum is instead facing a fight to save its future. Founded 25 years ago to give a voice to those over the age of 55 living in the city, from April 2018 the group will no longer receive council funding, meaning its members are having to get creative in order to make up the shortfall to keep the organisation going.

Tony Wilson, an 81-year-old trustee of the charity, and his friend and fellow member Zia Haque who have both been involved with BOPF for four years, are showing age is no barrier to thrill-seeking. They plan to hurl themselves from an airplane 15,000ft above the ground, in the hope of raising at least £2,000 for the charity. “People say I’m brave,” Tony says. “I’m not. I just love it. I’m going to skydive because I can, and because I won’t always be able to. I’ve done it once before, about 15 years ago in Ireland. What I remember most was the adrenaline.”

With Tony signed up, it was a matter of pride for Zia to get involved too. “You hear of people doing a run or a walk but this is quite unusual. I though that if Tony, at 81 years old, can do it, then some of us young people of can do it. I’m 70 in two months, and I felt as if I had to do something to keep Bristol Older People’s Forum going. When the skydive came up, I thought I’d do it as well. I’m going to do it whatever happens.”

“Even if we have to tip you out of the coffin,” deadpans Tony.

BOPF volunteers Judith Brown, Zia Haque, Tony Wilson and Yolanda Pot

“The generosity of Tony and Zia, stepping forward and taking to the skies in support of the Bristol Older People’s Forum, is staggering,” says Judith Brown, chair of BOPF. “What we’re about is changing stereotypes of older people. We know our members are active, independent people who are participating in the life of the city. Politicians make out that there’s a war between young and older people and we’re accused of all sorts of things, but we have one of the lowest pensions in Europe, especially when you consider how much we’ve contributed – it runs into billions. We could do so much together: barriers are artificial. They shouldn’t be there.”

When BOPF’s council funding runs out on March 31 2018, it will make it difficult for the charity to continue producing the printed triannual newsletter that goes out to their 3,000 members, many of whom aren’t online. The newsletter is a lifeline, keeping people up-to-date with decisions that affect them and encouraging older people to get involved in volunteering with charities and committees around Bristol. “If we lose BOPF, older people will lose a voice that they’ve had in the city for 25 years,” Judith continues. “That would be a tragedy.”

The skydive takes place on Saturday, April 14 at Old Sarum airfield near Salisbury. Find out more about the charity and donate to the skydiver by visiting www.bopf.org.uk/donate

Photography by Maia Harris-Jordan