Three thrill-seeking women defied gravity to raise vital funds for the Royal Air Forces Association…
Meg Atkinson MBE of Wiltshire, Clair Ryer of Oxfordshire and Nikita Lydon of Newcastle were strapped to the wing of an aircraft and flown above the English countryside to raise more than £4,000 for the charity.
They were exposed to an exciting series of flypasts, zoom climbs, dives and banking turns, all while balancing on the wing of a 1940’s Boeing Stearman biplane, piloted by former RAF pilot and veteran of the British aerobatic scene, Brian Cornes.
The wing walk was organised in support of the RAF Association’s Wings Appeal which offers of support, help and friendship to serving and veteran RAF personnel and their families.
Meg, who was awarded an MBE in 2009 for her ministerial services to RAF Lyneham, said she was no stranger to spending time in the air. She explained: “I was very excited to be in the air and experience the freedom that comes with being up so high. In the past I have completed two parachute jumps from a hot air balloon as well as two tandem skydives.”
Clair, who serves as a Logistics Sergeant at RAF Brize Norton, said her family thought she was bonkers for following through with the stunt. She explained: “I’m a bit of a thrillseeker so to have the chance to raise money for the RAF Association while challenging myself was too good an opportunity to miss. Nobody else in my family would do this!”
Nikita, a caterer at RAF Brize Norton, and self-confessed adrenaline junkie, said: “I love a challenge and, having already done a parachute jump in the past, I was excited to be back in the air. My friends and family think I am crazy but I love it!”
Helen Tempest, Challenge Events Manager at the RAF Association, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone brave enough to take part. Wing walking can be a once in a lifetime experience. To be in the air and among the clouds with views of the ground below is very special.”
