A LOVING husband is going to jump out of a plane from 15,000ft to raise funds for the care home who looked after his late wife.

Andrew Jess, is going to take on a sky-dive in aid of Glennie House in Auchinleck who supported his wife of 46 years, Jean as she lived with Alzheimer’s.

The 67-year-old will parachute to the ground in the Lake District, a popular holiday spot for him and his wife throughout her time with the illness.

Andrew will be joined by supportive members of staff from the home which Andrew says was a ‘second home’ that helped him become a husband again after caring for his wife at home for nearly six years.

Andrew told the Chronicle: “Jean was so well cared for at Glennie House, I had been in touch with the staff the whole time over her time being looked after.

“I wanted to do something. A sky-dive had been mentioned jokingly, but I had contacted a company down in the Lake District, called north way sky dive, and just booked it there and then.”

“It was initially for myself. I would do it on Jean’s birthday in April.

“The Lake District was a favourite place for us to go, it allowed us both to go a holiday. Somewhere she could stay and be comfortable. It was a special place for us.”

When Andrew told staff he was going to take on a sky-dive, Jenny who helped for Jena at Glennie House jumped at the chance.

He will take on the jump on Sunday, April 12 close to his late wife’s birthday with Jenny, her daughter and Ross, a health and safety contractor for the home.

Andrew found it tough to put Jean into a care home but was overwhelmed by the great support that they gave him.

He became a popular figure around Glennie House as staff would hug him on every visit and one of his fondest memories was being able to watch the sun set with wife from the second floor of the home.

Andrew said: “Latterly Jean’s illness took more and more from her.

“She was admitted to Ayr hospital, it wasn’t easy to realise that she was going to need round the clock care.

“One of the things Jenny said to me when we first visited was, ‘if Jean is able to come here Mr Jess, you’ll get the chance to become a husband again.

“That puts it into perspective what they did for me. It allowed me to become a husband again, over the eight years I had become a carer it was never a burden, but the caring part creeps up on you when the closest person to you is slowly having their independence taken from them.”

Andrew met Jean when he was a police officer and she worked as a mid-wife at a hospital in Ayr.

They had one child together, Christopher and two grandchildren Poppy and Harley.

Jean passed away in January 2019, and the grief of losing his long-term partner was also eased by staff at Glennie House who he still visits.

Now he wants to give something back.

Andrew said: “The experience I was given as a husband, regarding the care of Jean during her advancing illness.

“I’m indebted to them for her end of life care, they allowed me to be with her the whole time.

“They are just so good at what they do. I cannot fault anyone that I ever came into contact with at Glennie, every single of member of staff was exceptional.

“They said this is Jean’s home, but this can be your home whenever you find it helpful, so I still visit the home.”

It is hoped the funds raised can go towards trips for residents at the care home.

Ann-Marie, co-ordinator at Glennie House said: “We’re looking for sponsors, the more money we can raise the better. Its great Jenny, her daughter and Ross have signed up to it. I’m too afraid of heights, but we will go down and make the sandwiches for when they land.

All donations can be made to Glennie House, Auchinleck or you can donate online at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andrew-jess-2