Bognor woman celebrates 75th birthday with wing walk to raise money for Parkinson’s UK

Angela Needs, who celebrated her birthday on July 1, is taking to the skies today (July 2) at Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent.

For ten minutes, she will be strapped to a plane travelling at speeds of up to 120mph and at a height of 500ft.

Angela, who lives in Elmer Road, is taking on the challenge in remembrance if her much-loved grandmother and an inspirational teacher who she remembers from when she was young, and she wanted to help fund research that could one day find a cure for Parkinson’s.

She said: “In 1955, I lost my cherished grandmother at the age of 67 to Parkinson’s.

“Seeing her in an isolation hospital and thereafter developing an interest in aircraft, I decided not only to become a Parkinson’s donor but also to mark my three-quarters of a century on the planet with a wing walk to raise funds for more research.

“Over the years, I have encountered other sufferers of this debilitating illness and associated neurological conditions, such as brain tumours, which has only encouraged me further to embark on this venture.”

Angela, who is also a Parkinson’s UK brain donor, has raised just over £1,100 of her £2,000 target for the charity.

Katherine Bartrop, head of regional fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Nobody should have to face Parkinson’s alone – or without hope that one day we’ll find better treatments and a cure.

“Support like this means that we can be there for more people when they need us most and invest in research that will one day bring an end to the condition.

“So we’d like to say a huge thank you for taking part – and wish them the very best of luck!”

Parkinson’s UK aims to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s through cutting edge research, information, support and campaigning.

To find out more about the work of the charity and how to raise money to help fund its research visit www.parkinsons.org.uk

To donate to Angela’s fundraiser visit her JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/angela-needs1

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