Smile

Twelve-year-old fulfills grandpa’s dream of Spitfire flying

Published

3 years ago

June 2, 2021

Malcolm Hanson lost his joy when his wife of 57 years was recently brought to a home care due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Seeing his sadness, his grandson Harrison Gurney desperately wanted to “help him smile again.”
So for his grandpa’s 80^th birthday, Harrison surprised him with his dream of flying in Spitfire, which he made possible by writing to airfields and private Spitfire owners!

Harrison Gurney, 12 years old, has witnessed the gloom of his grandad, whose wife of 57 years had just been moved to a home care due to Alzheimer’s disease. His grandpa has lost his ever companion and has become lonely since then.

Desperately, Harrison wanted to cheer up his grandad, Malcolm Hanson, and he sure knew the best way to do it — fulfill his dream of flying in Spitfire!

Living in 1945 London during World War II, Malcolm witnessed a ‘dog fight’ over his head, involving one of the vintage aircrafts.

“Harri and his granddad are like two peas in a pod,” said Harri’s mom. “He wrote a letter and wanted me to help him find a place to send it. When I read it, it just made me bawl my eyes out.”

“It said ‘can you help me mend my grandad’s broken heart’. He was worrying and wanted to help him smile again,” his mom continued.

Harri wasted no second and wrote letters to airfields and private Spitfire owners across the UK to ask for help. His plan was in time for Malcolm’s 80^th birthday celebration, and Harri knew it was the perfect gift for him.

“It breaks my heart to see him so sad. I want him to smile again,” part of the letter read.

Moved by the thoughtful grandson’s gesture, bosses at Goodwood Aerodrome in West Sussex offered to fly the two of them in the classic aircraft.

Harri also raised enough money to help in accomplishing his surprise by doing chores around the house and for other family members.

On Friday, Harri reaped his good work and he was able to give his grandad the surprise of a lifetime. Malcolm finally got to live out his fantasy, getting up the skies while taking control of the craft himself!

“It was absolutely fantastic, it was the most amazing experience I have ever had. To have been allowed to take control on the Spitfire,” Malcolm said, whose dad was in the Royal Air Force during the War. ”The pilot did barrel rolls and some dives, it was great fun—a brilliant day out, all thanks to Harri.”