VIDEO: Dementia sufferer's wish to fly granted with film

By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Jan 2017, 16:18 BST
Updated 9th Jan 2017, 12:49 BST
Michael Hollings, 93, was a pilot in the RAF during the Second World War. His Christmas wish was to fly again, and James Douglas, also a former RAF pilot, visited his home at Green Willow Residential Care Home to show him a video of him flying a planeMichael Hollings, 93, was a pilot in the RAF during the Second World War. His Christmas wish was to fly again, and James Douglas, also a former RAF pilot, visited his home at Green Willow Residential Care Home to show him a video of him flying a plane
Michael Hollings, 93, was a pilot in the RAF during the Second World War. His Christmas wish was to fly again, and James Douglas, also a former RAF pilot, visited his home at Green Willow Residential Care Home to show him a video of him flying a plane
A former RAF pilot who suffers from dementia was granted his Christmas wish to fly again with a '˜priceless' gift from a fellow veteran.

Michael Hollings was only 17 when he joined the RAF at the outbreak of the Second World War, having lied about his age.

He flew Lancaster bombers during the conflict and was a captain of a Wellington bomber at age 19, according to his records at Green Willow Residential Care Home in East Preston.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Now 93, Mr Hollings’ Christmas wish was to fly a Lancaster again – so his carers at the home wrote it on a card and put it on the tree they decorated for the village Christmas tree festival.

Michael Hollings, 93, was a pilot in the RAF during the Second World War. His Christmas wish was to fly again, and James Douglas, also a former RAF pilot, visited his home at Green Willow Residential Care Home to show him a video of him flying a planeMichael Hollings, 93, was a pilot in the RAF during the Second World War. His Christmas wish was to fly again, and James Douglas, also a former RAF pilot, visited his home at Green Willow Residential Care Home to show him a video of him flying a plane
Michael Hollings, 93, was a pilot in the RAF during the Second World War. His Christmas wish was to fly again, and James Douglas, also a former RAF pilot, visited his home at Green Willow Residential Care Home to show him a video of him flying a plane

Run by St Mary’s Church, the building was filled by 40 trees decorated by groups and organisations for the event.

But it was Mr Hollings’ wish that caught the eye of organiser James Douglas, who was an engineer officer in the RAF from 1968 until 1988.

The 67-year-old said: “The thing that hit me most about the note was that he missed the camaraderie, so I thought I could help him and perhaps bring back some memories.

Hide Ad