A DAREDEVIL grandmother has fulfilled her bucket list by doing a wing walk for charity.
Valerie Appleton, of Ilkley, who is in her 79th year, completed the wing walk on Sunday, June 19 at Church Fenton, Leeds East Airfield.
She took to the skies atop a Boeing Stearman biplane to raise money for the LS29 Special Needs Support Group, an Ilkley based charity supporting families of children and young people with special needs. Val's funds are going to be used for outdoor adventures.
Val’s initial target was to raise £500 but she is now approaching £2,000.
At the pilot’s pre-flight interview with Val, he was told of Val’s many other daring exploits. His jaw dropped as he heard about her skydiving in Texas and the UK, line-zipping and hot-air ballooning. He promised the ultimate experience, extending the session with aerial manoeuvres.
Val said: “My dream was realised with a chance for LS29 to give the children an additional adventure break. My bonus is that I am now the ‘official LS29 stunt woman’ - a title I am proud to hold. The next plan is to ‘loop the loop’ for my 80th birthday. Watch this space!”
Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale are long-term supporters of LS29. Incoming co-president Peter Mate attended and photographed the event, joining the LS29 team beside the airstrip.
He said: “LS29 are a fabulous small but growing local charity, with no paid staff, entirely run by the families and volunteers. Support is now going out to nearly 180 families from across the area. Rotary will look to significantly add to Val’s funds this week, and planning has begun for a residential outdoor activity break."
Chair of LS29 Group Karen Goodman-Picken added: “We are all in awe of Val's adventurous spirit. Not only has she raised an enormous amount of money for LS29, she invited a group of us along to watch.The children loved it. Her enthusiasm for trying new activities and pushing personal boundaries is inspiring. She wants her fundraising to go towards children with additional needs pushing their own boundaries with outdoor activities, which we are now delighted to start planning.”
To support Val in her fundraising visit: https://gofund.me/87709a02
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