A LOCAL woman, who has dedicated her life to charity, wanted something special to celebrate her upcoming 82nd birthday – so she opted to take to the skies in style by wing walking for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
Beverly Jenkins, who has also run the London Marathon, worked for Oxfam and visited Egypt many times to help impoverished families, was happy to be strapped to the top of a Boeing Steadman biplane at Rendcomb Airfield near Cirencester.
Beverly said, “It was absolutely amazing. The plane took off; it went zoom and straight up. I thought ‘this is heaven’.
“It was a lovely experience. I started waving straight away to everyone on the ground – that was for all the people who have sponsored me. I wasn’t expecting to go quite so high. It was wonderful and reminded me of when I climbed the highest mountain in Egypt.”
Beverly said her only fear was losing her wig – which duly happened shortly after take off! However, she refused to let that ruin the experience of a lifetime as she soared high on a scorching day with views for miles around.
“They did ask me if I wanted to wear a hat but I told them my wig was a tight fit and it should be alright. I felt a bit embarrassed when we landed because I did lose my wig and I think people were surprised. I also lost the neck pillow I had put on.
“My mouth was going all shaky with the speed we were travelling. What I must have looked like, I don’t know.
“I couldn’t believe I had done it. Time seemed to go so quickly.”
Beverly is hoping her fundraising will top £1,000 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, a charity which needs to raise £3.75million each year to continue saving lives across the county and surrounding areas.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance fundraising manager Des Regan said, “Beverly was a real star. Due to Covid-19 we’ve had to cancel the majority of our events in 2020, which is so disappointing as it’s the charity’s 30th anniversary, but Beverly was so determined to plough ahead.
“She showed no fear and thoroughly enjoyed the day. I’m sure it’s an experience she will never forget.”
Wiltshire Air Ambulance receives no regular Government funding or National Lottery grants, so relies on generous donations from the public and businesses to continue its lifesaving work.
If you would like to sponsor Beverly, Selwood Housing Group have set up an online page to support her. Visit: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/Beverlyjenkinswingwalk
