Local care home resident defies gravity with a loop-the-loop

A resident at a Bracknell care home turned his world upside down as part of a thrill-seeking adventure.

When 63-year-old Neil Pennell, a resident at Care UK’s Bickerton House, on Warfield Road, expressed his wish to take part in an aerobatic flight and do a loop-the-loop, the team jumped at the chance to make it happen. 

Keen to help him fulfil his wish, the team arranged for Neil to visit Aerobility at Blackbushe Airport, where he joined a flight instructor in the plane before taxiing down the runway. As part of his aerobatic flight, they completed both a loop-the-loop and an aileron roll, where the plane rotate 360 degrees in a spinning motion. 

The visit was part of Care UK’s ‘Wishing Tree’ Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying a plane to enjoying a night at the opera, no wish is too big or small.

Speaking about the day, Neil said: “I enjoyed the flight and ended up doing two loop-the-loops. The aeroplane had a clear view so you could see all around. Just because we are disabled or getting older doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have wishes or aims to achieve.” 

Carl Francis, Home Manager at Bickerton House said: “Everyone here is thrilled that we were able to help tick a big one off Neil’s bucket list – even if our stomachs were doing flip-flops while his plane did the loop-the-loop! 

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a wonderful way for residents to share their passions and ambitions and it’s hugely rewarding to be able to make these a reality. Neil couldn’t wait to get up in the air and try the impressive arial tricks firsthand. His enthusiasm for trying new things and taking on new challenges is inspiring to all of us here at Bickerton House. 

“Thank you to everyone at Aerobility who helped make this happen – it was a wonderful day for all involved!”

Bickerton House has been designed to encourage residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while remaining as independent as possible in a safe environment. The state-of-the-art care home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care and features a bar and café, cinema, hair salon, activities room and garden.