A Darlington pensioner will take to the skies next month to complete a wing walk in aid of a hospice she’s fundraised for over 25 years.

Nancy Spencer, from Heighington, will complete her daring wing walk on May 27 at Leeds Airport East to raise money for St Teresa’s Hospice.

The daredevil had previously planned to skydive for the fundraiser however the 80-year-old has recently had a pacemaker fitted, preventing her from doing the stunt.

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Despite this, Nancy remains unphased and will soar on top of a Boeing Stearman biplane that reaches speeds of up to 135mph next month.

She said: “I was so looking forward to the skydive but hadn’t been feeling well.”

“So I went to the doctors, then hospital and they wouldn’t let me leave. Within 20 minutes I had a pacemaker fitted and I was back home two days later.

“I felt instantly better, like a different person, and I was gutted when I was told not to go skydiving. I instantly asked, ‘what about wing walking’?”

Nancy had first planned to skydive when she was 70, but the plan was cancelled after her much-loved husband Brian sadly passed from cancer on Christmas Eve.

She said: “I’m sure he will be looking down on me and asking, ‘what is she doing now’?”

Ten years on, the daredevil is hoping to double the £1,500 she first raised before her pacemaker was fitted.

Nancy’s efforts are part of a yearly appeal that hopes to raise £3m for St Teresa’s, that works to support those with life limiting illnesses and their families in Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire.

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She said: “It is really hard work for the hospice at the moment because of the cost-of-living crisis.

“We really have to try and help the hospice. When I think back to the work of Yvonne Rowe, who helped found the hospice, it would be terrible if we let it go.

“It is a very valuable facility which this area needs.”

MP for Darlington Peter Gibson said: “I am delighted to support Nancy’s wing walk and will be sharing a link and video on Facebook shortly.

“As co-chair of the APPG for hospices and a hospice trustee myself, I know only too well how vital the valiant efforts of fundraising heroes like Nancy are to our precious hospices.”

Communications and Marketing Manager of St Teresa’s, John Paul Stabler, has called Nancy an “inspiration”.

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“We are so pleased that Nancy has made a full recovery and is back helping us at the hospice. Everyone is as excited as she is about her wing walking exploits and she remains an inspiration to us all.

“These are very difficult times for the hospice so any support we receive from our community is very welcome indeed so we can continue to help those in need.”

Donations and sponsors are welcome to support Nancy; those interested are asked to call 01325 254321 or email hello@darlingtonhospice.org.uk