AT THE age of 85, and having been diagnosed with incurable liver cancer, you may be forgiven for thinking Usk resident Bob Purvis would want to take things slowly.

But Bob is determined to do nothing of the sort, and has recently started learning to fly a helicopter as a means of taking his mind off his illness.

"Cancer is all to do with your attitude," he says. "If you’re not positive, then the alternative is pretty grim". Bob has already completed two flying lessons. He has to do a further 44 hours in total, of which 10 hours has to be solo to obtain his helicopter pilot’s licence. He also has to take written exams in air law, navigation and Radio Procedures and be found fit to fly solo.

Bob is learning to fly the Robinson 22 helicopter under the tutelage of Captain Alan Ramsden at Tiger Helicopters in Shobdon, Herefordshire, who has undertaken 8,000 hours flying helicopters. Bob has his sights set firmly on completing his flying hours and becoming a helicopter pilot, and has no plans to let his illness get in the way of  him achieving that objective.

Anyone can learn to fly a helicopter. Young people from the age of 14 can learn although they cannot fly solo until they are 16 and they cannot achieve their licence until they are 17.

Tiger Helicopters are offering a free trial flight in a helicopter, a pilot’s briefing and a visit to their school to anyone above the age of 14 who wishes to consider becoming a helicopter pilot.

Bob is being supported by Gwent-based support charity St David’s Hospice Care, and wants to help raise funds in order to give something back to such a wonderful cause.

Bob has set up an online fundraising page for St David’s - all money received will go directly to the charity.

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care said: "Having recently been put in touch with Bob Purvis, we have been overwhelmed by his passion and desire to want to raise funds for St David’s Hospice Care, and will look to support him in every way possible. He has lots of fundraising ideas and we look forward to exploring these with him".

To donate to St David’s Hospice Care for Bob’s cause, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helicopterchallenge