Age is just a number: 99-year-old Helga Duffy sets Guinness World Record as the oldest wing walker, raising funds for charity

Helga Duffy marked her 99th birthday with an adventure most people would never dare to try. The British woman strapped herself to the top of a small plane and completed a wing walk, setting a Guinness World Record.

Inspired by another woman who took on the challenge at 97, Duffy decided to give it a go herself. Her flight also raised money for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance. Her record has earned congratulations from the woman she replaced, who is already thinking about taking the title back. The inputs are taken from The BBC.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords)

What inspired Helga Duffy to attempt the record?

Duffy got the idea after watching news coverage of Betty Bromage, who previously held the record after completing a wing walk at 97.

Duffy's own attempt was originally planned for September 23, her birthday, but it was postponed until October 16. She finally completed the challenge at RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, where a Guinness World Records adjudicator confirmed her achievement and presented her with a certificate.

Duffy, who now lives in a care home in Devizes, Wiltshire, spent many years living in Frome, Somerset. Speaking about the flight, she said: "I wasn't frightened because I was so excited." She described the experience as "peculiar" but went ahead with the challenge despite her age.

A record with a personal meaning

Duffy was also raising money for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance. According to the charity's Sam Conway, she has raised more than £1,300. Conway called Duffy a "legend" and said, "She looks as though she's had the time of her life."

Duffy's nieces, Jackie Rose and Julie Preece, watched the flight and praised her determination. Jackie described her as an independent woman who wanted to show that turning 99 had not changed who she was.

The challenge also carried an emotional meaning for the family. Their mother had made her "final journey" in an air ambulance, making the fundraising especially important to them.

Duffy, who was the eldest of seven children, also reflected on what her father might have thought of her achievement. "He expected the best of us. So I always tried. I think if he's still there somewhere, he'd be very proud of his firstborn."

Will Betty Bromage try to reclaim her title?

Bromage congratulated Duffy on taking the record but made it clear she might not give it up for long. "I can't wait until I'm 100 and I can do it again, I'll beat you again," she told the BBC. Bromage has already completed six wing walks and admitted that the experience can be frightening at first. "I really enjoy doing it - it's a bit frightening at first isn't it? Just the apprehension of it."

Duffy holds the title after completing her flight at 99. But Bromage's comments suggest the record could be challenged again when she reaches 100.