Mum plans wing walk in memory of son, 15

Clair Todd has already done lots of fundraising events including a skydive

The mother of a teenager who died of a brain tumour is planning a charity wing walk despite being afraid of heights.

Clair Todd from Cambois, Northumberland, will be tied to a flying biplane later to raise money for cancer research in honour of her son Connor.

The 15-year-old was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma in 2019 and underwent months of gruelling treatment before he died in October 2021.

Mrs Todd, 49, said: "I've got butterflies but I'm sure Connor will be up there with me holding my hand".

The wing walk is part of a challenge called Earth, Wind and Fire and climbing Snowdonia was the first challenge

Mrs Todd is part of The Angel Mums, a group of women who have all lost children to brain tumours and are raising money for the Tessa Jowell Foundation which fundraises to improve research and treatments.

"Until you are faced with the diagnosis you just don't know how few treatment options there are for children with brain tumours, she said.

"It's too late for Connor and the other children but we're hoping we can make a difference to other children in the future, because if we don't do it who will?" she added.

In 2023 the group did a parachute jump and raised £77,000.

The challenge for 2024 is called Earth, Wind and Fire and the group has expanded to 26 women.

Connor himself raised more than £30,000 for cancer charities before he died

Earth, the first challenge, involved walking up Snowdonia in Wales.

Wing walking is the second challenge which represents wind, and later in the year the group will walk on hot coals for the third challenge, fire.

Mrs Todd said the wing walk would be "a bit more scary" than skydiving.

"At least then I had someone with me but this time I'll just be perched up on top of the plane by myself," she said.

"Connor hated heights, so he'd have been terrified for me, but I know he's really proud of everything I'm doing in his memory," she added.

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