A PARKINSON’S-stricken grandad unable to leap from a plane is finally on cloud nine after fulfilling his lifelong skydiving dream … by freefalling indoors.

And courageous David Gallagher, 72, has urged others with the cruel brain condition not to let it dictate how they live their lives.

The retired accountant trained as a diver in his younger years and attempted a parachute jump 30 years before Parkinson’s but it was called off and his declining health left him unable to retry.

But when staff at Care UK’s Parsons Grange care home in Shinfield, Berkshire, discovered his dream they arranged for a safer freefall – by using the iFly indoor skydiving centre in Basingstoke.

And thrilled David beamed and screamed with joy as he was lifted off the floor by 110mph gusts inside the purpose-built flight simulator.

Afterwards he gushed: “Parachute jumping is something I’ve always wanted to do!

 “I had an amazing time – I think my smile said it all. It meant a lot to me to get out and enjoy myself and achieve something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

“I actually trained to do a jump 30 years ago but it was cancelled due to the weather and I just never rescheduled – so this has been a long time coming.

“Although I was unable to jump out of a plane this time, the indoor skydiving experience was truly exhilarating. I’m sure the real thing would be even more so.”

David was born in Harrow, London. He is married and has two children and four grandchildren, who all live locally in Reading.

Last week dressed in blue flight suit, David was guided by a specialist instructor and cheered on by friends and family as he learned to master the wind.

And urging on others not to let the cruel condition dominate their lives he added: “I’ve always been a very active person and I’m determined not to allow Parkinson’s to inhibit me in any way.

“Doing this skydive experience was another example of not allowing the condition to define me.”

The special visit was part of the home’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new.

From flying a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Rozina Ali, Home Manager at Parsons Grange, said: “David is a true thrill seeker and has such a positive attitude to life. When he told us that he’d always wanted to try skydiving, we were excited to set about making this happen for him.

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a wonderful way for residents to share their passions and ambitions and it’s hugely rewarding to be able to make these a reality.

“We want to thank iFly for helping to bring David’s dreams to life. It was an absolutely brilliant day and we know it meant a lot to David – he’s been on cloud nine ever since.”

The NHS describes Parkinson’s as being “caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra. This leads to a reduction in a chemical called dopamine in the brain.

“Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating the movement of the body. A reduction in dopamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

“Exactly what causes the loss of nerve cells is unclear. Most experts think that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is responsible.”