A GRANDFATHER diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer and who is semi-paralysed has completed a microlight flight for charity.

Jamie Fairweather realised something was wrong with his balance on a trip to Mallorca with his family in May.

The 61-year-old former investment manager was having problems cycling and playing golf.

East Lothian Courier: The flight took off from East Fortune Airfield. Image: Jane Barlow/PA

The flight took off from East Fortune Airfield. Image: Jane Barlow/PA

When he struggled to grip travel tickets on the way home from a trip and felt nervous about holding 18-month-old granddaughter Ailsa securely in his arms, Mr Fairweather booked to see a doctor.

In less than a month, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer with a life expectancy of 12 months.

Despite being wheelchair-bound and unable to pursue his dream retirement playing golf, cycling and gardening, Mr Fairweather took to the sky to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Charity.

East Lothian Courier: Mary Fairweather takes pictures of her husband. Image: Jane Barlow/PA

Mary Fairweather takes pictures of her husband. Image: Jane Barlow/PA

With his wife Mary and sons Rory, 29, and Struan, 32, lifting him out of his wheelchair and into the microlight, he took off from East Fortune Airfield at about 9.30am last Thursday.

The 40-minute flight saw Mr Fairweather and his pilot Sarah Curtis soar over his family home in Gullane, Luffness Golf Club and Bass Rock for a glimpse of the gannets.

Family and friends could even be seen below on Gullane’s Goose Green.

East Lothian Courier: Jamie Fairweather with pilot Sarah Curtis (left) and wife Mary (centre). Image: Jane Barlow/PA

Jamie Fairweather with pilot Sarah Curtis (left) and wife Mary (centre). Image: Jane Barlow/PA

The Fairweathers’ fundraiser, titled Reach For The Sky, has raised nearly £45,000 – more than four times its initial target.

Moments after landing, Mr Fairweather said: “That was really, really amazing.

“It was a bit scary at the beginning, but once you get your balance and perspective, it’s absolutely incredible.

“We live in the most beautiful part of the country. I loved it.”

East Lothian Courier: Jamie Fairweather (middle) with, from left, his daughter in-law Rebecca, son Struan, who is holding granddaughter Ailsa, daughter-in-law Mhairi, son Rory and wife Mary. Image: Mary Fairweather on behalf of Fairweather family/PA

Jamie Fairweather (middle) with, from left, his daughter in-law Rebecca, son Struan, who is holding granddaughter Ailsa, daughter-in-law Mhairi, son Rory and wife Mary. Image: Mary Fairweather on behalf of Fairweather family/PA

Ms Curtis, who has been flying for six years and works as a full-time gardener, initially gave the trip to Mr Fairweather as an experience but they decided to turn the occasion into a fundraising venture.

“I know medical staff have said ‘don’t do the risky thing’, but we needed to do this,” she said minutes after landing.

“Flying a microlight flight is like flying in a fantasy world, and I am so glad Jamie has had that experience.”

The Fairweathers hope their story will shine a light on what they have discovered is an under-researched and under-funded disease.

A total of 12,000 people are diagnosed every year with a brain tumour, including 500 children, and 5,300 die annually, according to latest figures from the charity.

“Big pharmaceutical companies are not focusing on this cancer enough,” Mrs Fairweather said.

“We want the fact there is so little research to be raised in Parliament.

“It was raised a few years ago, but nothing big enough has happened since.

East Lothian Courier: Jamie Fairweather and Sarah Curtis in flight. Image: Jane Barlow/PA

Jamie Fairweather and Sarah Curtis in flight. Image: Jane Barlow/PA

“I don’t know how to express our story in a way that will touch someone’s heart who is in a position to make a difference, to help, to really bring more funding towards this terrible disease, but it has to happen.

“We are horrified at the lack of funding of brain cancer, and glioblastoma in particular.

“The diagnosis completely carpet-bombed our lives.

“But Jamie has been so brave, he’s such a positive person.

“I am glad he did the flight.

“Doctors did warn us, and it’s been a bit touch and go with his health and the onset seizures, but Jamie wanted to do it, he wants to live while he’s still alive.”

East Lothian Courier: The view from Jamie Fairweather’s microlight flight. Image: Sarah Curtis/PA

The view from Jamie Fairweather’s microlight flight. Image: Sarah Curtis/PA

Mr Fairweather added: “I cannot tell you the support and kindness of my friends and family, who have been extraordinary since this diagnosis, which I would wish upon nobody.

“Their support is something that you know is there, but when you see it happen in front of you, it’s incredibly emotional and incredibly empowering… it is actually very sad as well.”

Gina Almond, director of fundraising for the Brain Tumour Charity, thanked Mr Fairweather for “his resilience and determination to raise awareness for the work we do”.

“Jamie’s focus from the very beginning has been on raising awareness of brain tumours so that as many people as possible know the signs and symptoms to look out for with this devastating disease,” she said.

Go to justgiving.com/fundraising/reach-for-the-sky to donate.