Why on earth am I doing a Wing Walk?!

I’m raising money for Hounds for Heroes, an incredible charity that provides specially trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled personnel from HM Armed Forces and the Emergency Services. Their mission is simple, but life-changing: to provide practical support, restore independence, and massively improve quality of life.

Having owned Golden Retrievers myself (although mine were not gold and definitely didn’t retrieve… white, fluffy, and very unreliable at bringing things back), I know just how powerful the companionship of a dog can be. Multiply that by expert training, purpose, and an extraordinary bond, and you start to understand why this charity is so special.

What do Hounds for Heroes dogs actually do?

Their dogs (known as cadets — already more disciplined than I am) are trained to help their Partners with everyday tasks such as: Picking up dropped items like keys or walking sticks; Assisting with dressing and undressing; Opening and closing doors using push buttons.

They can also be trained for partner-specific tasks, tailored to the individual needs of the person they’re supporting. Most dogs respond to verbal commands, but they can also be trained to respond to non-verbal commands if required. Even more impressively, some dogs are trained to react without any command at all. For example:If their partner falls or becomes unconscious, they can fetch help, Activate an emergency call system, Bring a blanket and Make sure a mobile phone is nearby

All of this helps their partner regain confidence and independence — with a loyal four-legged companion by their side.

Why am I so passionate about this?

I’m proud to be a volunteer and speaker for Hounds for Heroes, and I love raising awareness by giving talks to local clubs, schools, businesses, and community groups. (If you’d like us to speak at an event, do get in touch with the charity — we’re always happy to spread the word.)

So… why a Wing Walk? Excellent question. Short answer: I have absolutely no idea.

Longer answer: I think it’s important to do something that genuinely scares you once in a while — and for me, this is it. I’ll be standing on top of a plane while the pilot performs a series of climbs, banks and dives… all while I attempt to look calm, brave, and not think too hard about gravity or how my hair looks.

How you can help

I am self-funding this activity to ensure that all money raised goes to the charity. By sponsoring me, you’re directly supporting an amazing charity that transforms lives — one highly trained, utterly devoted dog at a time.

Thank you so much for donating, sharing, and cheering me on (preferably from solid ground).