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Can you swing it so Karen can wing it?

Stuart Greer
9/ 4/2008

SUPERGRAN Karen Halford is hoping to take her fundraising to new heights – but she needs some help.

Karen, wife of Bernard, club secretary at Manchester City FC, has made it her personal mission to raise £10,000 a year for local causes.

She has accomplished daredevil stunts like climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and turns no challenge down.

Now for her next thrill-seeking fundraiser she wants to perform a wing walk on a plane to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Manchester and is appealing to anyone who can help her make it possible.

"As a parent I’ve had to do a lot of things I didn’t want to so my kids could do them, then I realised I could raise some money by doing things like swimming with dolphins, riding a camel and walking the Harbour Bridge," said Karen, from Failsworth.

"But wing walking is different. This is something I want to do. I’ve always been fascinated by aeroplanes and when I saw wing walking on the TV I knew that was my next challenge."

Now all Karen needs is a plane and a willing pilot for her five minutes of thrill-seeking fundraising.

"I’ve looked into it and don’t want to have to pay vast amounts of money because that will detract from the money I raise through sponsorship," she said. "If there’s anyone out there who could help, please get in touch. It’s for a very worthy cause."

Karen, 52, became involved in fundraising after retiring from work to look after the children of her two daughters, Claire and Nicola.

Known as "supergran" to her brood of youngsters – grandchildren, nieces, and godchildren – she takes care of every day, she hosts regular coffee mornings and parties and has so far raised £50,000 for charities including Dr Kershaw’s and Willow Wood hospices.

Last month a question and answer session with Bernard at the Windmill Pub, in Lord Lane, raised £1,500 for Willow Wood, in nearby Ashton-under-Lyne.

And while her husband is usually the biggest supporter of his wife’s fundraising activities, he’s not so keen on her latest escapade.

"Bernard told me he’s a little worried about me doing a wing walk," Karen added.

"But he knows how much raising money for charity means to me and, if we manage to find someone to help make this possible, he will be there on the day to support me."

If you can help Karen call her on 07946 464834.