Whickham’s most adventurous 84 year old, Tommy Gibson (nee Edith
Thompson), flew across the Tyne in aid of Smile for Life in June 2011.
This was another adventure to add to the growing list for Tommy who has
over recent years also done an abseil off the Tyne and tried a spot of
paragliding. Tommy said this particular challenge had appealed to her
because it took place across the Tyne and landed on HMS Calliopi.
She said:
“I love a challenge and as a former Wren when I saw this landed on
Calliope I knew I had to go for it. It was such an experience, if a
little scary, especially the climbing over the ridge on the Tyne Bridge!
Tommy joined 60 other brave souls in Zipslide across the Tyne for Smile for Life, raising in excess of £5,000 for the charity in total.