Wing Walk for a Good Cause!

Those of you who know me will know that I’m not a lover of flying. I’m more of a “feet on the ground” kind of person than a “head in the clouds” type! So when my husband Martin returned from a golf charity day announcing that he’d bought me a surprise, I had to wonder just how much he’d enjoyed the hospitality when he presented me with a wing walk voucher… if it was a divorce he wanted, he just had to ask! I could only hope it was a joke, but no, this was for real. The voucher was put to one side, and I made it clear that there was absolutely no way I’d be doing it, then started looking for a gift day for Martin: crocodile wrestling or swimming with sharks – cage-free of course! Let’s just say I wasn’t very happy!

A few months later, Katie, who I refer to as my fourth daughter, called me with the devastating news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer at the tender age of 41. Katie is mum to Grace, and together they are a tight-knit unit making their way, as so many have to these days, as just the two of them. Grace is just 9 years old.

Katie underwent a mastectomy, followed by intense chemotherapy, which has its own devastating side effects, and then a course of radiotherapy. There have been complications along the way, but Katie is putting up her own fierce battle against this devastating disease, and it was a pivotal moment when she rang that bell to signify her final chemo treatment.

It’s hard to put into words the impact a diagnosis like this has. Katie has had to give up work and has relied heavily on the support of her family, both practically and financially. I’m sure everyone reading this will have experienced cancer, either themselves or through a loved one. It doesn’t just impact the person who has the diagnosis; it ripples out to family and friends as well as hits hard on earnings and quality of life as the chemo drains your body physically and mentally.

I’ve seen firsthand how much Katie has been out of her comfort zone, her security threatened along with that of her daughter, livelihood and home. Katie had no choice, because cancer doesn’t ask, it just happens. So I’m going to push myself well and truly out of my comfort zone and stand on this balsa wood airplane while it flies me around the Kent countryside for 10 LONG minutes, and in doing so, will hopefully raise some funds to help Katie and Grace through this difficult and uncertain time. All money raised will go to Katie and Grace to put towards planning some quality time for the two of them and get away from all that life is throwing at them right now, whether it’s a day out or a weekend away somewhere to make happy memories together – time that most of us take for granted.

I believe that when asking for donations, the donor should be doing something out of their comfort zone, and I can assure you that this is as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! Apparently the pilot can play music to me should I so desire… don’t think I’ll be asking for Flying Without Wings! Ironically, Katie is also ex-cabin crew for Virgin, so it’s actually quite fitting.

Thank you for reading this far. Any donation of any size will be very much appreciated by Katie, Grace and myself. And for anyone who wants to show their support or just see me strapped to a light aircraft flying up to 120mph across the Kent countryside, feel free to come and watch! The wing walk will be taking place at the Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent at 12pm on Saturday the 18th of May.