A children’s community nurse and her friend, both from Wolverhampton, have signed up to undertake a wing-walk for charity and are urging others to join them in their cash-raising adventure.
On 11 April, nurse Sara Eacopo and Jaz Tutt, a full-time carer, will undertake their adrenaline-junkie escapade and go wing-walking at RFC Rencombe Aerodrome, Gloucestershire.
“When I heard about wing-walking I immediately knew that it was the challenge for me”
Sara Eacopo
Wing walking, which began in the early 1900s, involves being securely strapped on the wings of a bi-plane as it takes to the skies for a 10 minute flight at speeds of up to 130mph.
The pair recently went skydiving together, jumping from 10,000 feet in the air to raise money for Caudwell Children.
The national charity, which provides support to disabled children and their families, was of particular importance to Ms Tutt, as her 19-year-old son, Jaiden, is autistic.
“He’s non-verbal and I’m is full time carer, so I understand the challenges associated with children with disabilities or additional needs,” she said.
Ms Eacopo said she loved her previous skydiving experience and was the one who found out about wing-walking and decided that it had to be her and Ms Tutt’s next challenge.
“I felt like I was floating on air immediately after the skydive,” she said. “So I was looking for something else that would give me that same feeling of excitement, and pride in what I’d done.
Sara Eacopo and Jaz Tutt
Source: Caudwell Children
“When I heard about wing-walking I immediately knew that it was the challenge for me,” added the nurse, who works for Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust.
Wing walking is only just became a legal fundraising mechanism for charities, following a recent changes in regulations.
Once strapped into the five-point safety harness, on the top wing of a biplane, the pair will take to the skies, making zooms, climbs and passes over watching friends and family.
To join them on their fundraiser for Cauldwell Children, the charity said wing walkers must be over 18 years old and must be between five and six feet tall.
In addition, participants must weigh no more than 12 stone and be able to climb up about 10 feet, the distance it takes to climb up to the wing of the plane.
- To learn more about participating in the wing walk, contact Lily Smith at 01782 433755 or email challenges@cauldwellchildren.com
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