Wiltshire woman, 99, becomes world's oldest female wing walker

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 11:57 · Archive

Helga Duffy, aged 99 years and 21 days, has become the world's oldest female wing walker.

Helga Duffy, aged 99 years and 21 days, became the world's oldest female wing walker after completing a flight at RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, on Saturday. She was strapped to the top of a plane as part of the record attempt, which also raised more than £1,300 for the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance charity. Duffy, born on 23 September 1927, now lives in a care home in Devizes but spent many years in Frome, Somerset.

Duffy described the experience as 'peculiar' but said she was not frightened. She told BBC News: 'I wasn't frightened because I was so excited.' She was inspired to attempt wing walking by 97-year-old Betty Bromage, who previously held the record.

Duffy said her father would have been proud of her achievement. She added: 'He expected the best of us. So I always tried. I think if he's still there somewhere, he'd be very proud of his firstborn.' She was presented with a Guinness World Records certificate at the airfield following her flight.

Her nieces, Jackie Rose and Julie Preece, described their aunt as 'independent' and 'forthright'. Jackie said: 'She's wanted to do something different for so long. She just wanted to prove that actually even though she's 99, she's still that lady she was years and years ago.'

The fundraiser held particular meaning for the family, as Jackie and Julie's mother made her 'final journey' in an air ambulance. Sam Conway from the air ambulance charity praised Duffy's efforts, saying: 'She looks as though she's had the time of her life.' AeroSuperBatics, the company behind the flight, congratulated Duffy and encouraged others to consider wing walking.

How it is being reported

• WATCH: Wiltshire woman, 99, becomes world's oldest female wing walkerA 99-year-old from Wiltshire has become the world’s oldest female wing walker.Swindon Advertiser · 18 Oct, 11:00
• WATCH: Wiltshire woman, 99, becomes world's oldest female wing walkerA 99-year-old from Wiltshire has become the world’s oldest female wing walker.This Is Wiltshire · 18 Oct, 11:00
• WATCH: Wiltshire woman, 99, becomes world's oldest female wing walkerA 99-year-old from Wiltshire has become the world’s oldest female wing walker.Gazette & Herald · 18 Oct, 11:00
• WATCH: Wiltshire woman, 99, becomes world's oldest female wing walkerA 99-year-old from Wiltshire has become the world’s oldest female wing walker.Wiltshire Times · 18 Oct, 11:00

In this story: Helga Duffy · Betty Bromage · AeroSuperBatics WingWalkers · Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance · Devizes · Cirencester

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