A fearless Welshpool grandmother, along with a Wales Air Ambulance employee, will take to the skies this month to raise funds for a lifesaving charity.

Wales Air Ambulance volunteer Janice Jackson, 74, will be joined by the Charity’s community fundraiser Dougie Bancroft to take part in an exhilarating wing walk for the lifesaving helicopter service.

Janice and Dougie have so far raised over £600 and they hope to reach their £1,500 target.

Janice has volunteered for the Charity for over 5 years and is passionate about supporting the work they do. She has previously raised over £6,000 by running local events.

She said: “I am doing a wing walk to raise money for Wales Air Ambulance because I see the amazing work that they do to save lives. I’ve always wanted to; it has just taken me until I’m in my seventies to actually do it!

“I wanted to do something different and daring.  I am excited to do this wing walking challenge to raise awareness and funds for this incredible charity.”

Dougie is no stranger to exhilarating challenges. He has previously completed a parachute jump, bungee jump, death slides, marathons and even sat in a bath of custard for the day and set a world record!

For Dougie, it has been a double challenge. He had to lose 2 stone 11lbs to be able to do the wing walk.

He said: “I have done many things, but I’ve always fancied doing one of these. It looks great fun and will help raise vital funds for Wales Air Ambulance, at such a critical time. 2020 was a difficult year with covid and the restrictions, so we need to support the Charity more than ever. Over the past 20 years, Wales Air Ambulance has attended nearly 40,000 missions and has saved many lives. I have seen for myself what they do and it's hard to put into words, so go on give a donation and save a life. It is their birthday - 20 years across Wales.”

Janice was due to take part in the wing walk last year but it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The wing walk will take place on Tuesday, 23 August at Aero Super Batics in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

After waiting for a year to do the wing walk, Janice is looking forward to it. She added: “I’m not nervous. All my family think I’m crazy, but I’ve always wanted to do it. I go on all the big rides with my grandchildren, they’re all screaming, whilst I’m enjoying it.”

You can show your support to Janice and Dougie by donating via their fundraising pages

Dougie's Wing Walk with Dougie

Janice’s Wing Walk

In December 2020, the Charity achieved its aim of operating a 24/7 service. Wales now has access to the service’s Emergency Department-standard critical care around the clock and to keep the helicopters in the air, Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £8 million every year.

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com. 

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.