A granny-of-four has walked on top of a flying plane to show you’re never “too old” to do anything in a bid to raise funds for charity.
Di Baker has proved she’s no typical granny, after soaring into the skies at 140 miles per hour, 800ft high, while standing on top of a plane.
At age 78, she wanted to perform the thrill-seeking task in a bid to raise money and awareness for Lewybodies Dementia, which her late husband passed away from in 2020.
Now, she’s sharing the “most adventurous” day in her life to help spread the message that you’re never “too old” to do anything.
“All my friends and family thought I was crazy,” Di, from Harwell, Oxfordshire, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“I’m one of those people that always thinks if I’m going to do something, then I will do it – when there’s a will, there’s a way.
“I felt nervous, but I was equally determined and as I took up to the skies, hanging on by nothing but a single strap, I had a wave of freedom wash over me.”
At four-years-old, she recalls contracting polio, which caused her left arm to become completely paralysed.
Over the years, Di has been wary about taking risks and has stopped herself from living out her wildest dreams due to the fear of breaking, and paralysing, her other arm.
In 1960, she met her husband, Tony, and as she wanted to commemorate his life, the granny-of-four put all her fears aside and took on the brave task.
But, despite the adventure, she wishes he was there to experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment with her.
She said: “He wouldn’t have done it with me, but I know he would’ve been so proud.
“I remember the first time I locked eyes with him and it was like I had always known him.
“He was such a wonderful man and we had a lovely life together – I was so lucky.
“Before he passed, I thought he had Parkinson’s, as he became very fidgety.
“Then, he started having intense hallucinations, where he thought he was being killed.
“They were so horrendous, he fell and broke his hip one day.
“Due to the shock, his condition accelerated and shortly after he went into care, he passed away.
“I was relieved, as he was so awful in the end that he didn’t even know who I was.
“I’m glad he’s now out of the pain and I know he loved me more than anything.”
Di got inspiration for the idea after going on a trip to Ilfracombe, where another member on the trip had recently completed a wing walk in honour of his late wife.
After telling her kids, Vivienne, 57 and Martin, 54, she booked herself in for the big day in October 2022.
She recalls all her friends and family surrounding the airfield as she took to the skies.
Now, she’s raised over £7,800 on GoFundMe for their chosen charity and continues to fundraise through cake sales.
Di added: “I wanted to raise awareness for this little known condition and I knew in order to do so, I had to do something bold.
“It was absolutely exhilarating and I would definitely do it again.
“My biggest mission in life is complete and it’s all because of my wonderful husband.”
