Take that Branson! Jewish gran takes to the skies to raise money for cancer charity

A Jewish grandma has flown on the wing of an airplane for charity, following the tragic loss of her daughter’s partner to cancer.

Elana Overs took to the skies above Gloucestershire last weekend, experiencing speeds of up to 140mph to raise funds in aid of Darel Bryan, who died five years ago from the disease.

Bryan passed away at the age of 34 due to brain cancer, with a foundation set up in his name under the umbrella of the Brain Tumour Research, having raised close to £200,000 already.

Overs, who works in the film industry and is a member of BAFTA, paid tribute to Darel and his partner Natalie, saying “they had been together for 12 years until his death. They were totally devoted to each other and such a beautiful couple. Natalie never left his side for 15 months, sleeping on floors and chairs in hospitals and, in the end, on the bed next to him in St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney, East London. St Joseph’s gave Darel such brilliant care in his final days.”

“I wanted to do something for all those diagnosed with a brain tumour and facing a very uncertain future. Being diagnosed with any cancer is devastating, but brain tumours are indiscriminate and affect so many young people. We need to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure and the only way to do this is through research.

“Before my wing walk, I had never done anything quite this mad, although I did take on a parachute jump from a mountain once, along with Natalie. We were on a skiing holiday and fortunately both strapped to an instructor!  It was an amazing experience and a real adrenaline rush! Seeing the world from a bird’s eye view with the wind rushing in my hair was incredible.

“I am so grateful to everyone who has donated so far, with my fundraising total currently standing at almost £9,000.”

Elana’s father was Stanley Medicks, who was chairman of the British, Scandinavian and European Machal organisation. He is honoured with a room at the Michael Levin Center for Lone Soldiers in Tel Aviv.

You can make a donation here:  www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Elana-Overs