Man scatters his mom's ashes 3,000 miles around UK from helicopter as he 'wants her to see new places'
ESSEX, ENGLAND: In a unique tribute to his deceased mother, 73-year-old Andrew Greenhalgh scattered her ashes when he flew 3,000 miles around the UK in a helicopter. The bereaved son had only got his helicopter license two months ago and had been waiting to do this.
A resident of Great Baddow in Essex, Greenhalgh had longed to take his mother, Marie, to see new places on her final journey after she died in November 2019 at the age of 95, reports the Daily Mail. Since then, her ashes had remained inside an empty peanut butter jar until her son took an eight-day trip across the country, scattering her ashes all around.
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Greenhalgh took off from his hometown and then flew to various locations around the country. From the Shetland Islands, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man to Wales, Scilly Isles, Cornwall and Jersey, he saw it all and ensured his mother did too when he spread her ashes along the coastal route.
As per the outlet, Greenhalghsaid, "I'm sure my mum would love it, she would think it was great." He added that his younger brother has not been well and wanted to accompany their mother once he's dead. However, he wants his ashes to be kept separately in a honey jar. "My younger brother also isn't very well, he has a cancer that can't be treated and he has said that he wants to go along with mum. He doesn't want to be in the same jar, he wants to be in a honey jar because he likes honey," said Greenhalgh.
The 73-year-old, who flies a red microlight plane called 'Rosa' had even taken a trip to the Arctic Circle and spread some of his mother's ashes there, as per an article by Essex Live. Inspired by a show his seven-year-old grandson watched a TV show during the pandemic called 'Helicopter ER', he began taking lessons at an airfield in Elstree, and within two months of getting his license, he took the trip. "It's been a bit of an adventure," said Greenhalgh, adding, "I absolutely loved it. I was a bit disappointed when it was finished. I loved it."