Take to the skies for East Kent Hospitals Charity

Are you looking for a new challenge for the new year?

How about a wing walk in aid of East Kent Hospitals Charity?

It’s one of many fundraising challenges you can sign up to and raise money to support patients and staff across East Kent Hospitals.

The wing walk takes place most weekends at Headcorn Airfield, and you will get the chance to soar at 120mph on top of a biplane in the skies over Kent.

Last year’s wing walkers raised thousands of pounds for the charity, including Carly Larkin, who works as apprenticeship and learner support lead for the Trust. 

She took to the skies in memory of her parents, and handed over a cheque for £1,300 to head of charity Dee Neligan on 28 December, which would have been her mum’s 70th birthday.

Carly said: “The wing walk was a truly epic experience, and a very emotional day.

“At times with the amazing height and steep wing dips I literally felt like I was a bird soaring through the skies, and just that little bit closer to my dear parents.

“I carried a photo of them with me during the flight and it was a very special moment.”

She raised money to support the chemotherapy units at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.

Carly, 42, from Faversham, had to overcome her own complex health conditions to take the flight, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and other auto-immune conditions.

She said: “Taking on the wing walk in memory of my parents, and defying all my health complexities and disabilities made me feel incredibly proud.”

If you are interested in taking on a challenge to support East Kent Hospitals Charity, visit https://www.ekhcharity.org.uk/events/

As well as the wing walk, there are marathons and half-marathons, and fun 5km runs and assault courses.