World · India Bureau
Centenarian sets wing-walking record, funds air ambulance service
A 99-year-old woman has become the oldest person to walk on the wing of an aircraft, completing the daring aerial stunt to raise funds for emergency medical services. The record-breaking achievement also netted over £1,300 for a regional air ambulance charity.
LSN India ·
Helga Duffy, aged 99, made aviation history by performing a wing-walk on a fixed-wing aircraft, surpassing the previous age record for the extreme aerial activity. The feat was undertaken as part of a fundraising initiative to support air ambulance operations, which provide critical emergency transport services to remote and urban areas alike.
Wing-walking, in which a person stands on the exterior surface of a moving aircraft in flight, is considered one of the most challenging and dangerous aviation stunts. The activity requires participants to be securely tethered while the plane performs controlled manoeuvres at altitude, demanding both physical fitness and considerable courage.
Duffy's record-breaking performance generated £1,300 in donations for the air ambulance service. The funds will support the organization's mission to deliver rapid emergency medical response to patients across the region. Her achievement underscores the vital role such aerial emergency services play in modern healthcare systems.
The centenarian's accomplishment has garnered attention as a testament to human determination and the creative ways individuals raise awareness and resources for essential community services. Air ambulance operations remain critical infrastructure, particularly in areas where ground transport times to specialized medical facilities can prove prohibitive.