A 99-year-old has become the world’s oldest wing-walker—just three months after her niece saw another elderly woman do it, and the staff at her assisted-living facility urged her to try.
This week, Guinness World Records officially bestowed the title on Helga Duffy, who was strapped to the top of a small plane at Rendcomb Airfield in Gloucestershire, England.
She broke their world record for wing-walking just three months after the title was nabbed by a 97-year-old woman named Betty Bromage.
“I had no idea what it was,” Helga said, of the aviation stunt.
At 99, she had been saying that it was “the last time” she could “do something different”—and when she saw what wing-walking entailed, she was determined to try it.
Despite initial concerns about getting on the plane itself, due to her arthritis and a bad right knee, Helga spent over five minutes in the air—wearing special clothing. (Watch the video below…)
“It was a very different sensation than I’ve ever had,” said the woman who spent most of her life working as a nurse.
“Once we did the round and we were up a thousand meters, I took three deep breaths; the air up there is so pure you wouldn’t believe it.
“I thought to myself, ‘come on now!’”
“I felt so good, I thought, ‘is this like if you take drugs?’ I’m sure it is.
Strapped in tightly, she felt “very safe”, and upon landing Helga met an official adjudicator from Guinness World Records.
Will Munford presented her with an official certificate when she touched down after the flight.
“It was a wonderful atmosphere,” said Helga’s niece, Jackie Rose, who saw news reports this year of Betty Bromage winning the title, and realized it was possible for Helga.
“Everybody was clapping. I had so much admiration for her because I knew how painful it was on her knee.”
“It was so nice just to see, age is irrelevant. It’s just lovely to see somebody doing something they enjoy.”
The certificate is being displayed in the senior care facility as a reminder that age is just a number.
“Try anything,” said Helga, who also raised over £1,600 ($2,000) for the regional Air Ambulance charity with her stunt.
“Don’t ever say, ‘I can’t do it’. You can’t ‘see’ until you’ve tried… It’s my motto.”
When asked about the new record-holder, Betty congratulated Helga on her success, “joking that she was excited to turn 100 and beat the new record”.
Jackie told the BBC that she’s wanted to prove that “even though she’s 99, she’s still that lady she was years and years ago.”
SEND THIS HIGH-FLYING ROLE MODEL To Seniors on Social Media…