Prince Harry carried out a charity skydive after making an unexpected wager with a 102-year-old Second World War veteran he met in Canada.
The Duke of Sussex was introduced to Ed Marshall, a former paratrooper who served with the Allied forces during WWII, during a visit to the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre. The facility is the largest veterans’ care centre in Canada.
Marshall showed Harry photographs from a fundraising jump he completed at the age of 100. Inspired by the veteran’s story, the Duke agreed to take part in a future skydive alongside him. The pair have remained close ever since.
Medical reasons ultimately prevented Marshall from making the jump, but his grandson, Bailey Fullan, stepped in on his behalf. Marshall still took part in the experience, joining the group aboard the aircraft and cheering them on as they prepared to leap.
A video released by The Sunnybrook Foundation shows Harry honouring the agreement nearly a year later, on September 25.
Harry, who spent ten years in the British Army and completed tours in Afghanistan, joined Fullan, Jeremy Blair, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and Sunnybrook’s President and CEO, and Dr. Andy Smith for the jump.
The Sunnybrook Foundation released footage of Prince Harry completing the jump with a smile, while joking that he would “be more cautious next time” before making a bet with a 102-year-old
The Duke fulfilled his promise to a 102-year-old WWII veteran in September by jumping from a plane in support of military charities
Harry met former paratrooper Ed Marshall, pictured left, during a visit to the Sunnybrook Foundation in Canada last year
The four participants were filmed leaping from the propeller aircraft before embracing one another after landing. Marshall encouraged the group from the plane as they prepared for the skydive.
After completing the challenge, Harry said: “A huge, huge thanks to Sunnybrook for putting this whole event on, and the biggest thanks goes to Ed and his entire family for making this possible.”
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He added with a laugh: “I will be more cautious next time not to pay too much attention to a photograph that leads you to making a deal or a bet with a 102-year-old! Cheers Sunnybrook!”
Fullan said: “Amazing to be up there with the Prince — what a prince of a guy — it was a fantastic experience! And such a great way to support our veterans, so I’m proud of that.”
The Sunnybrook Foundation wrote: “Last November, Prince Harry met Ed Marshall, a WWII veteran who trained as a paratrooper, during his visit to the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre.
“Ed shared the story of the fundraising skydive he completed at 100, inspiring the two veterans to plan a jump together.”
Although medical reasons kept the veteran from making the jump, he encouraged Harry from the plane before the skydive
Harry spent ten years in the British Army and completed tours in Afghanistan
The Sunnybrook Foundation praised the Duke for completing the skydive, saying: “What began as a conversation between two veterans became a promise kept”
The Duke of Sussex thanked the Canadian charity for organising the event and said: “The biggest thanks goes to Ed and his entire family for making this possible”
“Nearly a year later, that promise became a reality. When a medical evaluation ruled Ed out of the jump, his grandson Bailey Fullan stepped forward to take part in his honour.”
“On September 25, Prince Harry, Bailey, Jeremy Blair, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and Sunnybrook’s President and CEO, and Dr. Andy Smith took to the skies. Ed joined them aboard the aircraft, cheering them on before they made the leap.”
“What began as a conversation between two veterans became a promise kept — an unforgettable chapter in Ed’s remarkable story and a meaningful way to support the Sunnybrook Foundation and True Patriot Love Foundation, two organisations dedicated to Canada’s military and veteran communities.”