WHEN Andy Headworth leaps off Worthing Pier dressed as a crocodile during next month's Birdman event, there will be one person on his mind – his brother.
Andy, 42, of Bulkington Avenue, Worthing, has decided to take part in the competition on July 5 and 6 in memory of his brother David, who died in December last year, from a rare form of leukaemia, aged just 40.
In the space of just eight months last year, David had his 40th birthday, was diagnosed with a rare and acute form of the disease, married Marlynne, was there for the birth of their first child, Dara, in the August and then passed away just two weeks before Christmas.
Now Andy has decided to enter into the Birdman competition to raise money for Leukaemia Research – and to help give more people the chance to get better and see their children grow up.
He said: "Last year, was a real roller-coaster of a year. David had always been healthy, but within a few months of diagnosis he was dead.
"What has happened is terribly sad and I have now made it my mission to raise money for Leukaemia Research every year to give people the chance to get better and see their children grow up."
His crocodile costume is very significant – During David's last adventure in 2005, he spent time in Australia.
Andy and his family sent out a Christmas package to David and inside was an inflatable crocodile. "Snappy", as he was called, became a standing joke between the brothers.
If you would like to sponsor Andy, visit his Just Giving site by clicking here.-------------------------------------
Click here to go back to Worthing news.Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.uk