Wing walker, 77, looking forward to charity stunt

Josie Howley, pictured with staff from Rangeford Villages and Meningitis Now, is excited for her wingwalk

A retired nurse has said she is "absolutely looking forward" to adding a wingwalk to her growing list of adventures.

Josie Howley, 77, will stand on the wings of a classic 1940’s Boeing Stearman bi-plane and "fly around the countryside, waving to people" to raise money for Stroud-based charity Meningitis Now on Saturday.

Cirencester resident Ms Howley hopes to reach her £2,500 fundraising goal through the daredevil stunt, and has so far raised more than £1,800.

She said her family are not "totally surprised" by her decision to do the wingwalk, as she helped build a school in Cambodia last year and travelled the Silk Road through Uzbekistan in 2022.

Ms Howley said she was inspired to do the wingwalk by a childhood memory.

"When I was younger, I saw the film 'Flying Down to Rio' with Fred Astaire, and I was fascinated by those ladies dancing on the wings of the aeroplane as it flew down to Rio de Janeiro," she told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

Her wingwalk is sponsored by Rangeford Villages, who own Siddington Park, where Ms Howley lives, as part of its "Retirement Reinvented" campaign, investing money in exciting experiences.

"We're not supposed to sit around drinking tea and watching TV," Ms Howley said.

"We're supposed to get out and do exciting things. So I am."

Josie Howley will be taken up into the air by the lead display pilot of Aerosuperbatics, David Barrell

Ms Howley's wingwalk at RFC Rendcomb Airfield has been postponed on several occasions due to the weather.

The airfield is home to the world's only aerobatic wing-walking team, Aerosuperbatics.

Lead display pilot, David Barrell, will take Ms Howley up 800ft (243m) and travel at about 140mph.

"Fingers crossed it takes off, but it's looking good so hopefully I'll be up there," Ms Howley said.

"I'm absolutely looking forward to it."

Meningitis Now is a national charity that has its headquarters in Stroud.

Ms Howley hopes the money she raises will fund further research into the illness, and support those affected by it.

When she takes to the skies on Saturday, her family will be watching.

"I like doing interesting things so I don't think they're totally surprised," she said.

"They're all coming to watch, I've had great support from them all."