‘I was so nervous and the wind and rain were hitting my face’ - mum takes on wing walk in memory of late father

Mother-of-four, Vanessa Kushner, raised more than £1,600 for Jewish Care, by standing on the wings of a plane as it flew over Gloucestershire at speeds of 135mph.

However, Ms Kushner is no stranger to daring challenges, having already braved two skydives and a zip wire course, all in the name of charity.

Ms Kushner said:  “I was so nervous and most worried about climbing on the wing of the plane but once I was up there and was strapped into a standing chair, there were a few final instructions and off we went.

“The wind and rain were hitting my face but I was trying to smile for the video recording me. It was still fun to be standing on the outside of the plane in the sky. After about ten minutes we came down and I felt exhilarated and shaky.”

Her later father, Franchot Ross, was a resident at Rela Goldhill Jewish Care home in Golders Green, and Ms Kushner said her father ‘loved’ being there.

He passed away in December last year.

Ms Kushner said: “The staff at Jewish Care made my dad's time there incredibly special. It was his home and he loved being there.

“The staff look after the residents with such compassion. I raised money for their care home so the residents can have holidays that are adapted for people with disabilities so I’m glad I exceeded my goal of raising £1000.”

Director of fundraising & marketing, Daniel Carmel Brown said it was the first time anyone had taken on a wing walk for Jewish Care.

He said: “It’s wonderful Vanessa has taken on this challenge in memory of her late father and we are touched she chose to raise money to support Rela Goldhill, the home in which her dad lived in.”