Harrow Octogenarian to take on Wing Walking charity challenge

An octogenarian will reach new heights when he completes an exhilarating Wing Walk on the wings of a biplane.

Eddie Collins, who has lived in Harrow for over 50 years, will follow in the footsteps of Hollywood stuntmen by walking along the wings of a Super Stearman Biplane while it is in flight in Gloucestershire on June 3.

The 82-year-old will embark on his daredevil challenge in an aircraft flown by a highly experienced wing walking display pilot. He will take to the skies safely strapped onto the top wing to experience an exciting series of flypasts, zoom climbs, and steep dives in front of the family and friends at speeds of up to 130mph.

Mr Collins, who was born in Dublin, is taking on the challenge to raise money for Irish humanitarian aid agency, GOAL, with more than £2,500 raised so far.

Eddie Collins pictured at Biggin Hill Airfield

He was inspired to take on the wing walk following a call from GOAL chief executive Siobhan Walsh, after Mr Collins donated funds from his business CK-O International, which he recently sold, to build a waterhole in Zimbabwe.

Mr Collins said: "When Covid-19 kicked in I had a good think as to how I could help raise the profile of GOAL in the UK. I always had a fascination with Biplanes and did a flight on a Spitfire a few years ago, something I found to be an amazing and emotional experience. I read an article in a newspaper on Wing Walking, and I thought this was the perfect challenge for me.

"I am doing the wing-walk for Goal because of the inspiring work they are doing in 14 countries around the world, changing the lives of millions of vulnerable people. GOAL is an amazing charity founded over 40 years ago in Ireland. Last year it reached more than 17 million people with support in the areas of nutrition, health, emergency response and livelihoods in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America."

Eddie Collins

GOAL fundraising director, Eamon Sharkey, thanked Eddie for his inspiring support of GOAL, and wished him well with his Wing Walk challenge.

"Without dedicated supporters like Eddie GOAL would not be able to support the millions of vulnerable communities around the world we reach each year. He already has impacted on a community in Zimbabwe with his work and through funds raised from this challenge we will be able to support many more."

All details on the Wing Walk, and how you can sponsor Eddie for GOAL, are available here.