Grandma reaches for the sky...
ADARING grandmother’s feet are firmly back on the ground after taking to the skies to celebrate her 65th birthday.
Pat Peacock decided to take on a wing walk challenge to not only celebrate her special birthday but also to raise money for Beechwood’s Silver Wing Appeal in the charity’s 25th anniversary year.
Brave Pat, who this year is also marking ten years of being cancer free, was strapped onto the wing of a vintage Boeing Stearman biplane in Selby, Yorkshire, travelling at speeds of up to 135mph on Sunday.
She has so far raised £2,500 for the charity that is very close to her heart.
She said: “The wing walk was terrifying, but something I have always wanted to do and to raise funds for Beechwood, my favourite place, while doing it just made perfect sense.
“I was in the air for 10 minutes but with all the swooping down and turning, it felt like a lifetime. It was a truly won- derful experience.”
The grand-mother-of-three from Woodsmoor is an ambassador for Beechwood as well as managing the new on-site charity shop and taking on many other challenges, events and volunteering.
Pat was first introduced to Beechwood when she was diagnosed with cancer of the womb in 2005.
She was also dealing with the loss of her son Dean, 34, who died after battling cancer in 2003.
Pat also lost her only sister Joyce, 46, to the disease and her husband passed away after more than 39 years of marriage.
Fundraising manager for Beechwood, Angela Gray, said: “It was both amazing and terrifying watching Pat do something so crazy for our Silver Wing Appeal.
“She is certainly one special lady and we couldn’t be prouder.”
The Silver Wing appeal aims to raise £100,000 to enhance patient experience at Beechwood and extend community facilities, including a new café and charity shop.