The wing walking nan taking to the skies for dementia charity

Susan will take to the skies on August 22

Susan Smith, of Bank Head Lane, was presented with the opportunity to wing walk from her grandchildren Cole (18), Tyler (13), Emily (12) and William (10) last year after she had spoken of her passion to try the daring event.

She then made the decision to use this challenge to raise money for the Alzheimer's society after four of her husband's siblings passed away from the illness.

"I had a bucket list and wing walking was on it. It began by me and my grandchildren joking about doing it and then for my 70th birthday they bought the experience for me as a present. I always tell them if there's something they want to do, then nothing should stop them," said Susan.

Susan and her husband's family have been impacted by the disease.

"I should've done it last year but had to have two knee replacements, so it is now on August 22 and I am really looking forward to it. I've been up in a small plane before that is similar to the planes they use for wing walking. I even flew the plane for an hour and really loved it. I wish I had learnt to fly because I just love being up in the air."

A wing walking experience is described as an "aerial adventure" and sees individuals be strapped to the top of a small biplane aircraft for a flight time of around 10 minutes.

After losing family members to dementia, Susan decided to raise money for the Alzheimer's society from her daring adventure.

The Alzheimer's society aims to create a society where those affected by dementia can be supported and accepted and live in their community without fear or prejudice.

Susan Smith was presented with the opportunity to wing walk from her grandchildren

"I do not think there is enough money given to the dementia research and don't think there is enough done about it. It relies on the work of charities so I decided, there was no point just doing the wing walk for the enjoyment when I could raise money for charity too," said Susan.

"The original target was £500 but I have already hit that, and have raised £520. I still have friends and others who will donate and it feels really exciting."

Being diagnosed with dementia includes suffering with memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language.

Many of these individual changes can be small to begin with but for someone living with the condition, they become severe enough to affect daily life.

According to the Alzheimer's society, 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 have dementia, costing the UK £26.3bn a year.

Son Lee Edwards-Smith said: "We had to cancel the original flight due to my Mum needing her knee replaced and then rescheduled for earlier this year. This again was cancelled due to her other knee needing to be replaced and then cancelled again due to the pandemic.

"On my dads side, he lost four of his seven brothers of sisters to dementia. We have always gone to charity events to support charities like Alzhemiers and then my mum decided she wanted to raise money for them. She is using a just giving page and trying to spread the word.

"We want people to support my Mum raising this money for such a worthy charity."

Donations can be made at justgiving.com/thewingwalkingnan