Isle of Wight volunteer, nearing 90, to mark birthday with microlight fundraiser

One of the Isle of Wight's best-known volunteer fundraisers is preparing to take to the skies once more as she approaches her 90th birthday. Toni Goodley, who lives at The Lawns retirement apartments on Fairlee Road in Newport, will fly in a microlight from Sandown Airport on Saturday 15 August in aid of Mountbatten Isle of Wight, the hospice where she has volunteered for ten years.

Keeping active and fundraising

Goodley first drew attention when she completed a tandem skydive from 10,000ft above Sandown to mark her 80th birthday. This year’s challenge is more accessible given mobility issues she now faces, but she says it preserves the spirit of daring and charity behind the earlier jump. She hopes to raise £2,000 for Mountbatten with the microlight flight, which is scheduled to take off at 11am on the day.

Local ties and volunteering

Her commitment to supporting local causes runs through many years. After the death of her partner, Goodley began volunteering with Mountbatten, initially helping with Christmas dinners at the John Cheverton Centre and later moving to the finance department, where she has counted donations. She volunteers while maintaining a determined fitness routine, attending gym and aqua classes at Medina Leisure Centre three times a week.

• Resident: The Lawns, Fairlee Road, Newport
• Birthday challenge: Microlight flight, Sandown Airport
• Fundraising target: £2,000 for Mountbatten Isle of Wight
• Date & time: Saturday 15 August, take-off at 11am

What this means locally

For the hospice and wider community, the flight is both a practical fundraising exercise and a demonstration of long-term volunteer dedication. Mountbatten provides specialist care on the Island and relies on donations and volunteers; a visible local fundraiser such as this reinforces public awareness of those needs. For neighbours and other residents, Goodley’s challenge is also a reminder of the local opportunities many older Islanders pursue to remain active and engaged.

"My aim in life is to keep as active as I possibly can, so that I can continue to live a full and happy life — looking after myself for as long as I can."

Goodley has said she is excited to see the Island from the air again and is looking forward to the experience despite reduced mobility making some past adventures impractical. The microlight flight follows a decade since her 10,000ft skydive and continues a pattern of community-minded milestones.

Anyone wishing to support Toni’s fundraising can contact Mountbatten Isle of Wight for details of how to donate. The flight will be a public reminder of the many ways Islanders contribute to the charities that support the community.