A VETERINARY nurse Winchester braved the heights to walk on the wings of a 1942 biplane to raise money for charity.
Jo Clayton-Hart from Anderson Moores Veterinary Service in Hursley took part in a wing walk on Saturday, July 2, flying up to 100ft high at speeds of 110mph from Compton Abbas Airfield near Salisbury.
Wing walkers are strapped to the top of the World War II Boering Stearman using a five point harness that leaves their arms and legs free to move.
Daredevil Jo has previously bungee jumped and skydived, but a wing walk had always been on a bucket list. She was airborne for 10 minutes, on top of the plane that was initially used for pilot training during the second World War.
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Jo said: “It was indescribable. It was amazing. I loved every second of it and I’d definitely recommend it to anybody.
“Before we did it, they asked what do you want to get from this experience? Do you want a nice, sedate, calm ride or do you want the full-on adrenaline? I think most of us said the latter because it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
“At one point we were moving from side to side, and it literally felt like I was flying. It’s just you up there, it was an amazing experience.”
So far, Jo has raised £920 for Wave 105’s Cash for Kids appeal thanks to the support of Anderson Moores Veterinary Service who got behind their employee through sponsorship.
Wave 105’s Cash for Kids is a children’s charity that offers support for children and young people in the south who are suffering financially.
Jo felt passionately about raising money for a local cause she could sympathize with.
She said: “It’s been a tough time for a lot of people and even more so now with energy and fuel prices. Unfortunately, I feel now the poor are only going to get poorer and the rich are going to get richer.
“Having kids myself and knowing how hard it is. I’m a single parent too so knowing how hard it is to provide day to day for them- school shoes and uniforms and all that kind of stuff. I struggled and I’ve got a job and support. I can’t imagine what other people must go through if they haven’t got that.”
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