THE captain of Stover Golf Club’s seniors has raised £3,500 for the Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity after completing a skydive at the age of 74.

John Payne took on the challenge to raise money for the charity as a thank you to the NHS teams who cared for both him and his late wife Julie during some of the most difficult years of their lives.

Donations are still coming in, meaning the final total could rise further.

John admitted that taking part in a skydive was well outside his comfort zone.

‘I did this because I’ve never been very brave or taken risks and I’m getting to the age where I wanted to do something which felt dangerous’, he said.

The challenge had a very personal meaning for John, whose family has had a long association with the NHS in Torbay.

Julie was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2013 and underwent major surgery to remove a large tumour.

When the cancer returned the following year, she began chemotherapy at the Ricky Grant Cancer Unit at Torbay Hospital.

The couple enjoyed a more positive period in 2016, including a special trip to the Italian Lakes.

But in January 2017, their lives were changed again when Julie was told her cancer had returned.

Shortly afterwards, John was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The couple found themselves receiving treatment at the Ricky Grant Unit at the same time, with John eventually completing his final treatment in August 2017.

Although John’s cancer treatment had been successful, what should have been a day of celebration became a devastating time for the couple when Julie’s condition suddenly deteriorated.

They spent several precious hours together at Ricky Grant, before Julie was transferred to another ward.

She died the following morning with John at her side.

John later underwent further treatment and was eventually declared in remission.

However, in 2022 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is now receiving hormone treatment at the Ricky Grant Unit to help keep the disease under control.

Despite the challenges he has faced, John remains active and enjoys playing golf.

As captain of Stover Seniors, John was keen to use his position and the skydive to raise money for a cause close to his heart.

He said the jump had been an unforgettable experience.

‘We both received such excellent care on Ricky Grant and I wanted to do something which thanked everyone who cared for us’, he said.

‘Julie would think I’m completely mad for doing this, but I was thinking of her the whole way down, as well as “what the hell am I doing”’

He added: ‘I have just about recovered from the skydive, it was quite an experience. A mixture of being terrified and great relief when I landed safely.

‘It was great when the parachute opened, but the free fall was terrifying. I am delighted to have raised so much money for the charity’.

Becky Chown, Fundraising Manager for Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity, thanked John for taking on the challenge.

‘We are so grateful to John for taking on this incredible challenge to support our charity’, she said.

‘The funds he’s raised will make such a difference to the people we support and enable us to provide the very best care possible’.

You can support John’s fundraising efforts by visiting his JustGiving page.