Don Spall, 79, was made an Honorary Freeman of Woodbridge in 2001 for his services to the town as a founder of the Company of Four theatre group, but has spent the past 10 years living with Parkinson’s disease.
His wife, Lyn Spall, said she had planned a “whacky” fundraiser to support Parkinson’s UK - a charity which helps families affected by the illness - and has been “bowled over” by the support.
The 63-year-old former headteacher at Creeting St Mary Primary School will be strapped to the wings of a biplane at Damyns Hall Aerordrome in Upminster, Essex, for a fundraising challenge, which has already raised more than £3,000.
“I have been overwhelmed by the support for my crazy endeavour as so many people know Don and me,” she said.
“It will be a very scary day for me but I am determined to conquer any fears I may have and take to the skies.”
Mrs Spall said her husband was “loved and respected” by many who remember his work with Company of Four and as manager of the Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge, which had led to such generous donations.
“I’m amazed by the amount we have raised so far and I understand there are more who are still planning to donate, so the figure may still go up,” she added.
Parkinson’s UK uses funds donated to lead research into finding a cure for the disease, which affects the nervous system, as well as to support families affected by the condition.
Mrs Spall said many people were unaware of the many symptoms that can affect different Parkinson’s sufferers, which vary from tremors to difficulty swallowing, and she was keen to support the charity in its work.
She said her husband would not be able to attend the wing walk as he was recovering at home following a recent hospital visit.
Despite his ill health, Mrs Spall said he was “trying to stay as positive as possible”.
The couple recently celebrated their Ruby wedding anniversary, which Mrs Spall said was “fantastic”.
The wing walk was scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 1, but is to be rescheduled for a date later that month.
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lyn-spall1 to find out more about the challenge and to donate to the cause.
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