The day brave 80-year-old Sheila felt on top of the world

An 80-year-old daredevil granny has reached new heights after completing a wing walk to raise money for a Rotherham animal charity.

Sheila Norris strapped herself to the top of a vintage biplane and took to the skies above Lincolnshire in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for Thornberry Animal Sanctuary.

And after landing safely back on terra firma, the grandmother-of-two declared it an amazing experience that left her with an "exhilarating feeling."

Sheila took part in the challenge at Wickenby Airfield this month alongside her daughter Lynsey Colebrook, Thornberry's Community Fundraising Manager, retail manager Charlotte Ripley and former colleague Natalie Glossop-Knowles.

The four women were aiming to raise at least £3,000 for the Aston-based sanctuary.

They have already flown past that target, with the team total now standing at £3,150, and more donations continuing to come in.

Sheila said: "An amazing experience from the introductory video to the coming back down to earth.

"They were very friendly, helpful staff, especially when I had difficulty climbing up onto the upper wing!

"It was an exhilarating feeling being on top of the world."

Her daughter Lynsey said: "My mum did really well! She was more impressed with herself for being just able to climb up the plane.

"I was so incredibly proud of her!"

There was plenty of admiration at the airfield, with Lynsey making sure everyone knew exactly who the daring wing walker was.

"There were lots of people there watching, some supporting other flyers and some just there to watch the planes, and I kept telling anyone who would listen: 'That's my mum'! She is an inspirational woman."

And it seems the experience has given fellow wing woman Lynsey a taste for even greater heights.

The experience was "fantastic" she said.

"I'll definitely be looking to do it again, with loops and barrel rolls next time!"

The women took on the challenge through the Wing Walk Company, standing on the upper wing of the aircraft secured in specialist harnesses.

For Sheila, it was another extraordinary adventure in a life that has already included abseiling down a hospital in Ipswich.

The retired school teacher, who spent decades in the classroom, had previously told the Advertiser that her daughter had not needed to work hard to persuade her to take part.

"I thought it would be rather fun," she said.

And she certainly did not let her age hold her back.

Sheila had only just squeezed into the required 18 to 80 age range for the wing walk, turning 81 the day after her flight.

The successful flights have helped the team raise vital funds for Thornberry, which costs more than £1 million a year to run and receives no government funding.

And with donations still coming in, the fundraising total looks set to climb even higher.

If you want to donate, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/team/thornberry-wingwalkers?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL