The sky is the limit for daring granny Wendy!

April 2016

Wendy Richmond, 80, is no ordinary granny. Far from the TV and slippers, Wendy prefers to spend her time proving that age is not barrier.

To celebrate her 80th birthday Wendy carried out a zip-wire descent among the snowy mountains of South Wales, raising funds for The Acorn Cancer Support Group via Localgiving.

This zip-line challenge was a birthday present from Wendy’s family, who have gotten used to her thrill seeking birthday requests. In recent years Wendy has been wing-walking, parachuting, outdoor and indoor ballooning and zip-lining, each time raising funds for charities that are close to her heart.

Explaining why she started taking these challenges, Wendy says:

“I saw a film a long time ago about wing walking and I remember thinking “I want to do that” but I never ever thought I’d be able to do it. Then, my family bought me this as a present for my 70th – They know what I like!”

“I loved wing-walking – it’s the freedom – it was as if I had the will to fly. You couldn't see the plane as you were standing on the wing. It was just an amazing feeling! It’s absolutely out of this world, more than I ever expected it to be.”

The Acorn Cancer Support Group, a small charity in St. Ives, Cambridgeshire has made a big difference to Wendy’s life. Wendy sees her fundraising as a great way of giving back:

“I had breast cancer 7 years ago. A friend of my sons persuaded me to go. You don’t talk about cancer unless you want to. They take us out for meals and trips down the river – it’s just a beautiful place to go. So relaxing – I love it”.

Does Wendy plan on putting up her feet after her latest feat? - “I’m 80 now… but If I see a challenge I like and I think I can do it, then maybe I will!”

Wendy is currently taking part in Localgiving’s Local Hero 2016 Campaign, giving her the chance to raise even more for her cause. This campaign, running until 30th April, is giving £5,000 to local charities and community groups across the UK. Local Hero 2016 is funded by Making a Difference Locally, a charity that has donated over £4m to local causes since it began in 2008.

For more information about Local Hero or any other Localgiving campaigns, please visit Localgiving.org, email help@localgiving.org or call 0300 111 2340.

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