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Pensioner’s wing walk for Diabetes UK
An Ilkeston woman is planning an aeroplane ride with a difference next month.
73-year-old Joy McFarland is undertaking a wing walk, bought for her by her husband Dave as a Christmas present.
The ride on the wing of the plane is booked for Saturday 22nd June at Wickenby Airfield in Lincolnshire. It is something she has always wanted to do.
Joy explains: “A wing walk has been on my bucket list for a long time, and when Dave bought it for me, I thought it would be an opportunity to raise money for a good cause at the same time, and Diabetes UK was an obvious choice.
“My daughter has type 1 diabetes, and has had it since she was 7 years old – she’s now almost 44. Diabetes affects not just the sufferer, but the whole family, and further funds are needed for research into finding a cure for it. I have been in contact with Diabetes UK and have set up a just giving page.”
Joy was born in Ilkeston maternity home in May 1951, and apart from about 10 years, has always lived here. She grew up with mum and dad Gladys and Reg Statham and an older brother John, attending Field House Infants School, Kensington Juniors and Ilkeston Grammar School.
“Dad was a window cleaner on Bath Street for many years, prior to his retirement,” said Joy.
“I had various office jobs throughout my working life, finally working as an administrator at a dementia registered care home in Bilborough prior to my retirement in 2014.
“I married the lovely Dave in 2017 after 14 years together (it doesn’t do to rush these things!) and when I retired, we got two cockapoo pups called Sidney and Wilf, so no restful retirement for me!
“My daughter Hannah was born in 1980 and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 7. My first fundraising attempt for Diabetes UK was a parachute jump – and that was the first time I’d been in a plane, so it was a bit of a baptism of fire!
“I’m really excited about the wing walk although I expect I’ll be more than slightly apprehensive when they fasten me to the wing of the plane!
“When we’re not walking the dogs, my spare time is taken up with gentler pastimes! I enjoy reading and craft (mainly card making and knitting) and I’m a member of the Ilkeston branch of U3A.
“My friend and I used to go to a quiz night every week, but it stopped because of covid and sadly it never restarted. I do love a quiz on the radio or TV – I took part in both 15 to 1 and Who Dares Wins (the lottery one not the SAS one!) and I also enjoy crosswords and sudoku.”
Here’s the link to Joy’s JustGiving page if anyone would like to donate:
https://tinyurl.com/m6dwk3y8
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