28th September 2021

When I came to the club I was treated with such understanding and kindness. I saw others who were much further along and they were treated the same and I realised then there wasn’t anything to be frightened of.

Old Silk Works member Duncan Baxter was 'skydiving for dementia' when he leapt out of a plane to raise funds for the charity which has transformed his life.

Duncan, a retired police officer who lives with dementia, braved the 10,000ft tandem skydive at Old Sarum at the weekend. The tandem jump included 30 seconds of free-fall, when he travelled through the air at 125 miles an hour.

He persuaded several members of his family and friends to join him, and 'Duncan's Divers' took to the skies as part of Alzheimer's Support's dedicated jumpday with GoSkydive at Old Sarum airfield.

The keen bowler, who lives in Westbury, aims to raise £4,000 in sponsorship.

Speaking before the jump Duncan said : “I’ve been signed off by my GP which is good. I am looking forward to it, but of course I’m a bit nervous. I've never done anything like this before. It will be good to be doing it with my family too. 

Fundraising to skydive for dementia

“Whenever I go to a different bowls club I bring my sponsor form and just let people know. I’ve told people in restaurants and wherever I go because I want to raise as much as I possibly can. 

"Everyone is generous and when I tell them what a fantastic place Alzheimer’s Support’s Old Silk Works Day Club is they want to help.”

Duncan was diagnosed with dementia two years ago, but says he didn’t seek help at first because he was scared of what the diagnosis could mean.

He said: “I knew what dementia could look like and that wasn’t me. So it was easier not to do much about it."

Joining Old Silk Works Club

Together with his wife Lynn, he got to know members of staff at Alzheimer's Support and began to find out more about the condition and the support that was available. It was not until he visited the charity's day Old Silk Works day club that he felt comfortable with joining a service. 

Duncan said: “When I came to the club I was treated with such understanding and kindness. I saw others who were much further along and they were treated the same. I realised then there wasn’t anything to be frightened of as I would be treated like that too.

“I have never felt so comfortable in my life as when I'm in the club and couldn’t be happier when I'm here. I really look forward to coming. It has changed how I feel about dementia and it has changed my life. I lead a weekly quiz at the club and I prepare for that at home so it's with me even when I'm not there. 

"The love bounces off the walls at the Old Silk Works.” 

Sponsor Duncan's skydive

Read more about Old Silk Works Club

Find out about how you can Skydive for Dementia