Ten brave supporters took to the skies last weekend to raise funds for Royal Brompton & Harefield hospitals

It took more than a little rain to put our amazing wing walkers off taking on the challenge of a lifetime. On Saturday, ten intrepid supporters gathered at Damyns Hall Aerodrome to fly strapped to the wings of a 1940s Boeing Stearman.

Gemma took to the sky for her mum who has been under the care of Harefield Hospital for years. She has an artificial heart and is on the waiting list for a heart transplant. Gemma said: “It’s a massive deal to our family, it’s great to be able to raise lots of money and also have an exhilarating experience.”

Member of the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital Family, Tuen, who works in Royal Brompton’s Private Outpatients department was keen to fly for the hospital she’s proud to work for. Inspired by wing walking displays she had seen, Tuen was excited to add this to the list of daredevil stunts she’s already taken on. She raised an amazing £1,704.

Following a briefing, our supporters, one by one, made their way onto the plane. They were strapped in tightly and then they were off. The planes took of slowly, rising to 700 feet into the sky. The braver supporters could choose to dive and loop the loop as part of the ‘rollercoaster’ ride, before being brought safely down again.

Sallinder, community fundraiser at Harefield Hospital, said: “It was amazing, it was really peaceful up there. I’d love to do it again, loop the loop next time!”

Sophie said: “I have never been so scared of anything in my life, but equally have never enjoyed anything so much! Harefield Hospital have been treating my mum for the last four years, and we will never be able to put into words how thankful we are to them for everything they’ve done in giving us our mum back.”

Thank you to all our wing walkers, Sallinder, Tuen, Deborah, Neil, Sophie, Will, Katie, Gemma, Daniela and Chris for going above and beyond in their support of our hospitals. Thanks also to Skymax Wing Walkers for taking such good care of them and making our supporters feel at ease.