Wing Walk for charity this Summer

March 26, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

Adventurous adrenalin junkies can take to the skies and do a spot of wing walking this summer to raise funds a local charity.

Havens Hospices, which includes Fair Havens Hospice, Little Havens Hospice and The J’s Hospice, are looking for people to take on a Wing Walk at Damyns Hall Aerodrome near Upminster on June 29th. 

Participants will stand on the wing of an Aerobatic Tactics Stearman Biplane, with friends and family there to cheer them on, and help raise money to continue ‘Making every day count’ for the children, young people and adults with life-limiting illnesses and their families they care for from across Essex

Little Havens volunteer, Ken Griffiths, 75, from Hockley has already signed up, and is no stranger to exciting challenges, having done a skydive for the hospice in 2018 with his son, Gary, in memory of his wife Barbara. 

In August 2016, shortly after celebrating her Golden Wedding Anniversary with husband Ken, Barbara, 71, was diagnosed with acute leukaemia. The family turned to Fair Havens Hospice at Home for help and two months later, on 4th October 2016 Barbara died at home surrounded by her family. 

Following Barbara’s death, Ken decided he wanted to support Havens Hospices in every way he could, including volunteering once a week in the Maintenance Team at the charity’s children’s hospice Little Havens.

“As far as I’m’ concerned they are all brilliant,” he says. “To me it’s payback time - if I can help in any shape or form to raise money I shall do so.”

Ken had never shown any tendencies towards being a daredevil in the past, “I think they call it old age and stupidity; I never thought about doing it before the chance came to raise money. I’m not sure what to expect on the day but I’m quite looking forward to it. 

“I enjoyed the sky dive and would do it again,” he continues, “It’s abseiling next year, I’m told – if I’m not too old, I’ll happily do it!”

Any Wing Walkers are asked for a £100 registration fee and a minimum fundraising pledge of £600 to help the charity be there for everyone who needs them for as long as they’re needed.

For more information www.havenshospices.org.uk/wingwalk or book your place please contact Challenges Fundraiser Emma Hamilton by email ehamilton@havenshospices.org.uk or call 01702 220308