Hayley’s Brave Wing Walk To Raise Funds For The BHF

Published on: 25 May, 2016
Updated on: 25 May, 2016

There are many ways to raise money for charity, but standing on the wings of a biplane and being taken for a 22-minute flight, must rate among the bravest of challenges.

Hayley Bollons has completed a wing walk raising funds for the British Heart Foundation.

That is exactly what Hayley Bollons, of the Spirit health club at Guildford’s Holiday Inn, has done.

She took to the skies at Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Essex on Sunday, May 15, and has so far raised £1,300 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Asked whether she was nervous before take off, she said: “I think adrenalin took over, but I sensed that my mum and also Shirley West [from the BHF] were, so I just got myself focused.”

Following a safety talk, Hayley was weighed to make sure all was correct for her to be harnessed to a seat on the top wing of the biplane. After a final chat with the pilot and confirming the sign she would make if she wanted to come down, it was “chocs away” and up into the clear skies.

Hayley said: “The flight was brillaint, wow! The conditions were perfect. The pilot circled around and did some dips and troughs. I could see towards London and the Shard building.

“I could see some lakes as we flew over them and I was in the air for about 22 minutes, that’s a bit longer than normal. The flight team were so professional.”

With cold air blasting at her during the flight, Hayley said she did not feel cold while in the air, but did once they had landed.

Asked whether she would do it again, Hayley said: “I would, but now I have done that challenge I need to up the game a bit for my next fundraiser. As yet, I haven’t decided what I am going to do.

Hayley pictured with fundraisers from the Guildford and Godalming branch of the BHF who went along to give her support.

Guildford’s Holiday Inn and its Spirit health club are regular supporters of the British Heart Foundation and its Guildford and Godalming fundraising branch.

Waving to Hayley as her biplane makes a fly past. Click to enlarge in a new window.

Shirley West and some of her fellow fundraisers went along to see Hayley complete her ‘wing walk’, and Shirley said: “The sun shone for Hayley and she was a joy to watch. She was so brave waving to us all as the plane dived and went up into the clouds. Congratulations Hayley from us all, you are a star. I know you made your mum very proud of you.”

Hayley is hoping to add to the current total raised for the ‘wing walk’ so that it reaches £1,500. She said she has some more pledges still to come in.

If anyone would also like to contribute they can do by calling Shirley West on 01483 563071. Or online by clicking here for the Just Giving website and Hayley’s page.

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