[BobbyB]

Mike Blacktopp is looking forward to his tandem parachute jump



Mike will be taking the plunge for MND sufferers
MANY people in Mike Blacktopp's situation would just give up.

In a year the 58-year-old, who suffers from the terrible muscle-wasting condition motor neurone disease (MND), may not be able to speak or move.
But despite his illness the brave father-of-one, from Leigh Park, has set himself an incredible final task of raising £350,000 to help find a cure for other MND sufferers after he has gone.
Mr Blacktopp will do a tandem parachute jump next month, by throwing himself out of a plane at 10,000ft, a feat that he describes as 'his last big hurrah'.
'I'm not scared at all,' he said. 'My doctor thought I was crazy but I'm looking forward to it.
'It's something I've never done and rather than wailing in sorrow I want to use my circumstances to help others.
'I hope the money will be used for research to find a cure for MND for other people. It won't help me but it might be able to help others.'
Mr Blacktopp, of Soberton Road, first got symptoms of MND in 2004 when he started feeling weak and unsteady on his feet.
Now he needs help dressing and washing and finds it difficult to speak, cannot swallow solid food and has lost six stone since September.
He has been given permission by his doctor to jump from 10,000ft, but no higher as he may have trouble breathing.
Mr Blacktopp said it is the parachute jump and his fund-raising that are keeping him going now.
'Life is a nightmare. One of the worst parts of it is that because your mind stays completely active you know what is happening to your body.
'You know that things will only ever get worse but there is nothing you can do about it. I feel so useless at times.
'But I very strongly believe you only have one life and that it is not a rehearsal, so you have to make the most of it.'
jenny.haworth@thenews.co.uk
23 January 2007

http://www.portsmouthtoday.co.uk/Vie...icleID=1986490