Jon Goodwin, who competed in the 1972 Olympics as a canoeist, has had his fair share of adventures during his eight decades on this planet, and will be leaving it entirely for his next escapade.
Jon paid $250,000 (£191,000) for his ticket back in 2005, with tickets now costing around $450,000 (£343,000), but feared his condition could stop him from reaching the stars.
The 80-year-old from Newcastle-under-Lyme was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014, but was determined not to let that hold him back, and will now become the second person ever with the condition to travel to space.
The former Olympian will jet off on Virgin Galactic’s next mission on August 10, alongside mother and daughter team – Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers – who won their free tickets in a competition in 2021.
