Are you daring enough to do a wing walk just like fearless mum Teresa Pipon?
The high-flyer took to the skies almost two years ago for East Cheshire Hospice.
Her message for the Hospice’s wing walk on Monday, June 21, is to sign up and prepare to be strapped in.
Ready for take off… Teresa prepares for her wing walk.
Teresa said: “I’ve always been a daredevil and wanted to do something big for my 50th birthday.
“I didn’t want presents, so asked for donations instead to the Hospice which did a wonderful job of caring for my dad Lewis Smith who died in 2013.
“I loved the wing walk. It was exhilarating and frightening and I’d certainly recommend it.”
Teresa’s wing walk.
The aerial adventure, organised by AeroSuperBatics, is at an airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, where Teresa did her walk.
Places are limited and the event may extend to a second day depending on demand. Wing walkers must be at least 18, no taller than 6 ft 2 in and no heavier than 14 stone, with a waist measurement of 40″ or less while wearing warm clothing and a jacket.
The cost is a £150 deposit upon registration and a guarantee to raise a minimum of £500 sponsorship.
Like Teresa, wing walkers will be harnessed on top of a 1940s Boeing Stearman biplane after getting full safety guidance.
Teresa said: “It was quite nerve-wracking. Staff put you at ease for the whole experience and I remember feeling the force of the wind against me.
“The pilot asked if I wanted to stay on a level but I let him do some dips, dives and banked turns. You aren’t allowed to loop-the-loop on your first wing walk.
“I’d done a tandem sky jump from 15,000 feet in New Zealand, but this was scarier as I was on my own.
“I had intended doing yoga poses, but barely let go and thankfully the whole experience was filmed.
“I must admit I enjoyed the family lunch with a drink afterwards with my husband Nigel, daughter Holly and son Jack.”
Safe landing…Teresa celebrates her aerial adventure.
Teresa, who raised almost £1,000, is a regular at major Hospice events. Her fundraising is match- funded by HSBC UK where she is a Senior Business Development Manager for Mortgage Intermediaries.
She said: “My mum Mary, who lives in Macclesfield, got great comfort and support from the Hospice. Dad had the best possible care.”
* For more wing walk details visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk.
Teresa with her dad Lewis on a family holiday in Jersey.
