FAIRFORD’S very own Top Gun will be embarking on an epic climb next month when he takes on Europe’s highest mountain Mont Blanc to raise money for charity.

Phil Bird, 39, is no stranger to heights with over 16 years as a fighter pilot in the RAF most recently flying the Eurofighter Typhoon, and currently working as a commercial pilot based at London Gatwick Airport.

He will be climbing Mont Blanc solo on May 21 in aid of the charity AMMF, the UK’s only cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) charity, in memory of his mother, Sylvia Bird, who contracted this rare cancer and died in 2014.

As Mont Blanc is 15,800 feet high, Phil is hoping to raise £15,800.

In order to prepare for the climb, he has followed a rigorous six-month training plan, involving mountain and hill climbing across the UK, as well as running, walking, and daily gym workouts.

The intrepid pilot, who is actually terrified of heights, attended Farmor’s School and worked in the Bull Hotel in the town to pay for university. He opened the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2012 as a ‘local boy’ who’d become a fighter pilot, flying a Blue Peter presenter into RAF Fairford to open the show.

Sylvia was well-known in the Fairford community, and worked in the local church and was a member of the Anglo American committee, helping boost relations between the Americans and local community. She was a teacher at Farmor’s and more recently at Prior Park in Cricklade.

Phil said: “I hope that I inspire even a few people to make a difference and undertake a challenge to raise awareness and funds for an issue which is important and meaningful to them. In my case, that meant undertaking something in memory of my mother and for the AMMF charity and its important work to highlight cholangiocarcinoma.”

“My mother tackled her illness with unbelievable bravery, her characteristic dry sense of humour and without complaint. She was an inspirational lady throughout her entire life. As a teacher she helped many young people succeed and outside of work was always helping others.

“This is a rare cancer with only one UK charity, AMMF, conducting research into fighting it, supporting those who suffer from it and offering support to everyone affected. They need as much money as possible to help ensure others don’t have to endure the same pain as my mum.”

He added: “Although I am a pilot, I’m actually terrified of heights and climbing Mont Blanc is out of my comfort zone. I am not a professional climber by any stretch of the imagination.”

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Philip-Bird7? to donate.