AN EX-PARATROOPER has donned his apron to raise money for the Royal British Legion (RBL) for the 80th anniversary of VJ day.
From the age of 17 Frank Spencer spent most of his working life on the front line after signing up to the Parachute Regiment during the Second World War.
But now, Frank, alongside Balsall Common Lions will be raising funds for the RBL, with a guess the weight of the cake competition.
The event will be at the Balsall Common Co-op store tomorrow (Saturday 9) from 10am until 2pm.
There will be prizes for the fist and second closest guesses.
Frank said: “It is important to remember the people who gave their lives for us to have our freedom.
“I hope we can raise as much as possible to help support the RBL.”
A spokesperson for Balsall Common Lions said: “We have been proudly supporting Frank with the Poppy Appeal in the Co-op in Balsall Common for several years.
“Frank has made and decorated a delicious fruit cake. We hope to raise as much as we can.”
Frank is no stranger to fundraising, as in 2021 at age of 92 he took on a parachute jump in memory of his wife.
Frank moved to the borough in 2018 to be closer to his daughter, Carol Gill when his wife needed more support to help her combat vascular dementia.
When she died in 2019 he got involved with a group supporting people living with dementia and was determined to help them.
He heard the Balsall Common-based charity the Lily Mae Foundation, which supports families that have suffered baby loss, was putting together a skydiving group and signed up.
During his 32-year career in the armed forces Frank served across the Middle East and was active in many countries.
Over the years he survived being shot twice, his jeep blowing up and becoming tangled up in another soldier’s parachute.
The Lion’s have set up a fundraising page for people who cannot make it to the event.
Click here to donate.
