Our Fosters Solicitors Community Hero for our fixture against Middlesbrough is Malcolm Metcalf, who has been nominated by Radio Norfolk.
In January of 2023, Malcolm, 89, set himself the task of completing 90 challenges before reaching the age of 90, in aid of Priscilla Bacon Hospice.
Born in Gorleston, Norfolk, Malcolm’s dedicated support for hospitals and hospices started back in 1953, after the Community Hero was diagnosed with TB in his spine and was confined to lying on his back on a plaster bed for over a year.
During his recovery and after his twin brother gave him a book on travel, Malcolm vowed that he would see the world as soon as he was better, which he more than achieved in a trip that saw him visit 58 countries over the years, starting in 1969.
His earlier life also saw him travel all around England on just his bus pass, covering 33 counties in 29 days. Malcolm was able to raise £20,000 for the East Coast Hospice in doing so.
The ‘90 before 90’ challenges helped Malcolm to continue “enjoying life to the full”, as he had been doing all his life.
Some of his many challenges included riding a horse for the first time, judging a dog show, visiting Sizewell Nuclear Power Station, feeding a giant turtle at the Sea Life Centre in Great Yarmouth, sheered a sheep, rang the bells in Righborough Church and even flew a four-seater plane.
He said: “Nothing ever worries me. I’ve always had luck on my side.
“I couldn’t have done it on my own, people have been enthusiastic and gone out of their way to help.”
A host of local media outlets have been hugely interested in his challenge, with two of his challenges including being a guest editor of the Eastern Daily Press and hosting his own two-hour show on Radio Norfolk.
Malcolm was able to surpass the 90 mark when he travelled around Norfolk in 15 modes of transport, including a tractor, a police car and Elvis Presley’s original Cadillac.
The Community Hero decided to extend his challenges to 100, with his 99th challenge a book signing at The Maids Head Hotel and his 100th challenge being our Community Hero for Tuesday’s fixture against Middlesbrough.
Malcom’s just Giving link can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/malcolms-tour-for-hospice