AN engineer will be taking to the skies in a wing walk challenge to raise money for the charity which is helping her neighbour fight cancer.

Tollesbury resident Cath Gaskell, 47, will climb on the top wing of a Boeing Stearman biplane at the Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Upminster to raise money for Hope for Tomorrow.

The charity, which runs mobile cancer care units in areas such as Tiptree and Stanway, is helping Cath’s 50-year-old neighbour Jacqui Leatherdale.

The powertrain engineer, who works for Ford in Dunton, decided to take on the challenge during the lockdown in November, as a way of doing something “positive and challenging”.

Brave feat: Catherine Gaskell, who is wing walking for Hope for Tomorrow, outside the mobile cancer care unit in Stanway Picture: Rob Gaskell

Brave feat: Catherine Gaskell, who is wing walking for Hope for Tomorrow, outside the mobile cancer care unit in Stanway Picture: Rob Gaskell

“I know it has meant so much to my friend who has continued her treatment by attending our nearest mobile unit in the Tiptree Tesco car park,” she said.

“At the time of signing up to the wing walk, I did not give it much thought.

“Since then, I have become more and more nervous about it.

“I am really excited right now, but I know that on the day I am going to be absolutely petrified.

“I am not great with heights and so this will be particularly challenging.”

Cath’s target is for £2,000 which will pay to run a mobile unit for ten days.

Catherine Gaskell with nurses outside the mobile unit in Stanway. Photo - Rob Gaskell

Catherine Gaskell with nurses outside the mobile unit in Stanway. Photo - Rob Gaskell

Her friend Jacqui, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2018, is thankful for Cath taking on the challenge.

She added: “Thanks to Hope for Tomorrow, I have been able to have most of this treatment on a mobile unit, as opposed to having to travel to Colchester hospital each time.

“This is much closer to my home in Tollesbury and I find not going to the hospital each time helpful.

“I cannot tell you how much more bearable my treatment is because of this charity.

“Because of the locality and the smaller number of patients they can treat, it means a couple of hours is taken up with the treatment instead of potentially the majority of the day at the hospital.”

A charity spokesman said: “Hope for Tomorrow is delighted Cath is taking part in one of our Wing Walk challenges.

“Cath understands first-hand the difference our units can make for patients living with cancer.”

The wing walk will take place on June 17.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/catherine-gaskell1.