A DAREDEVIL grandma took to the skies on the wing of a plane to mark her milestone birthday.
Jean Giles, who lives in Tiptree, decided she would not mark her 70th birthday with cake and a genteel celebration.
Instead, she looked to the skies attached to the wings of a biplane.
After telling her family she wanted to take on the challenge on her special day, they clubbed together to make the thrill-seeker’s wish come true.
A few snags in the road meant Jean had to wait nearly a year for take off, but she said it was well worth the wait.
“I wasn’t nervous, I got excited so many times before and I just thought if it happens it happens,” she said.
“I had to climb up to plane and I had to have a little bit of help.
“As the plane was taking off I was thinking ‘What are you doing at your age?’.
“It was absolutely fantastic once we got up there, though you have trouble moving your arms due to the wind.
“It feels like you are gliding even thought you are going about 130mph.
“If I could afford it I’d do it every week.”
Jean has raised £1,375 for Make a Wish Foundation.
She said: “I am so chuffed with how much was raised.
“I’ve spoken to the charity and they have said it will go a long way to help someone.”
Active Jean, who still enjoys working at the Original Factory Shop every week, first went on a plane when she was 50.
Since then, the adrenaline junkie has tried paragliding, a helicopter ride and has now ticked wing walking off her list.
And she has no intention of stopping having already drawn up plans to take on a tandem skydive for her 72nd birthday next year. “It is a bit late for my birthday this month but next year I plan to do it if I’m still around,” she said.
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