A RETIRED nurse who lives in Cirencester will undertake an exhilarating wing walk next month to raise money for a special cause. 

Josie Howley, aged 77, will be strapped to the top of a Boeing Stearman Biplane on Tuesday, May 28 to raise money for Meningitis Now, a Stroud-based charity where her daughter works.

The Boeing will depart from RFC Rendcomb Airfield, home to the world’s only aerobatic wing-walking team Aerosuperbatics.
 
Aerosuperbatics’ lead display pilot, David Barrell, will be taking Josie up to 800ft in the air, travelling at more than 100mph. 

The former nurse lives at Rangeford Villages' Siddington Park retirement village in Cirencester.

The wing walk flight is being sponsored by Rangeford Villages to launch its Retirement Reinvented campaign which invests in residents' passions by offering personalised experiences to create new memories and boost wellbeing.

So far, Josie has raised more than £1,000 for the charity which offers support, funds research and raises awareness around meningitis.

On her JustGiving page Josie said: "This year I’ll be taking to the skies on the wing of a Boeing Stearman Biplane, hitting speeds of up to 120mph! 

"I’m doing this to raise money for Meningitis Now, a fantastic charity working to save lives and rebuild futures in the UK.

"Watching the 1930's film Flying Down to Rio as a child left me fascinated by the amazing ladies dancing on top of the planes. 

"Now, thanks to the generosity of Rangeford Villages, I have a once in a lifetime opportunity to try it myself!

"If you can, please make a donation to help Meningitis Now continue their life-saving research to find better vaccines, treatments and diagnostics for meningitis.

"Your donations will also help Meningitis Now to provide vital information and support for people who have been affected by this devastating disease."

To donate visit shorturl.at/mpvL8