Wing walker, 97, attempting to break own record

A 97-year-old grandmother who holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest female wing walker wants to improve on her achievement with a sixth wing walk.

Betty Bromage, who lives in Gloucestershire, said she became an adrenaline-seeker to "challenge" herself after she suffered health problems, including a stroke which still impacts her mobility.

"The last thing on earth I want to do is lie in bed and have people run around after me," she said.

Bromage has participated in the extreme sport - which involves moving along the wings of a flying plane - since 2016, both for fun and to fundraise. Her next wing walk, on 4 August, will be in aid of a stroke unit which supported her.

The world record holder from Cheltenham developed an adventurous streak after she moved to an assisted living facility, where she found herself with a lot of free time.

She said her interest in wing walking stemmed from memories of an advert in 1991.

"I remember, donkeys years ago, seeing a Crunchie bar advert, and there was a lady stood on top of a plane.

"Then that came to me - I thought I'd like to have a go at [wing walking]," she added.

When she was in her 60s, Bromage suffered a spinal injury which left her paralysed for three months and learning to walk again.

She also suffered a stroke in August, which left her with a fractured pelvis.

"I can't do so many things. I'm nearly blind, so that doesn't help, and I can't read - messages come on my phone and I can't see who they are from. It's frustrating," Bromage said.

But she added: "I know if somebody helps me up [onto a plane], I can get up there."

Four years ago, when she was 93, Bromage achieved the Guinness World Record for being the oldest female wing walker.

She completed numerous stunts including a loop-the-loop and a barrel roll as part of a fundraising effort for the end-of-life and bereavement charity Sue Ryder.

Bromage is planning to break her record with a wing walk at RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester in aid of the "marvellous" stroke unit at Cheltenham General Hospital which cared for her.

Steve Bangs, CEO of Pegasus Homes - the company which runs the assisted living facility where Bromage lives - said: "Betty is a truly inspirational individual and living proof that later life should be about new experiences, with age being no barrier to adventure.

"We are all looking forward to cheering her on again in her next record-breaking endeavour; though most of us are happy to do so from slightly closer to the ground."

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