A DAREDEVIL pensioner is taking no chances when he completes a wing walk for charity this year.

Tom Wilson, 72, will be joined by 30 of his friends and family for the event, including his doctor and his undertaker – “just in case it all goes wrong,” he says.

Mr Wilson, from Hartlepool, was inspired to take on the challenge after watching professionals perform the stunt at last year’s Sunderland Airshow.

He said: “Somebody went over head strapped to a biplane and I said to my mates ‘I could do that’ and they said ‘that will kill you’.”

But he decided to take up the challenge, where he will be standing atop a 1932 aircraft as he is flown about by an expert stunt pilot at an airfield in Selby.

Mr Wilson is raising money for three charities, Hartlepool Blind Welfare Association, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and the Locomotive Conservation and Learning Trust (LCLT).

The charities are close to his heart as, due to health problems, Mr Wilson almost lost his eyesight and had to undergo high-risk surgery. He has since regained his vision and even his driving licence.

“What is ironic, and we didn’t realise this until two or three weeks ago, the wind walk is eight years to the day since I had the operation.”

Mr Wilson said, “One of the criteria is that you have to be able to climb on top of the top wing unaided.

“I wasn’t sure if I could do it, so a friend took me down with my daughter. I had a look at the aircraft, got on top and he said to her, ‘it’s alright he’ll lose his bottle he won’t do it’.

“When I got down I stood there looking at it and went very quiet, and then I turned to them and said ‘bring it on’.”

So far Mr Wilson has raised £1,600 and is hoping to reach £2,500. He’s been delighted at the support he has gained from sponsors, including the Fishers Hotel in Pitlochry, Scotland, which he often visits, and The Globe pub in Hartlepool.

His former employer Rushlift, based in Bishop Auckland, has also sponsored his endeavour by giving him tickets for a Manchester United v Newcastle United match at Old Trafford, which he will auction to raise money.

Mr Wilson’s wing walk takes place Sunday, June 3. He said: “I’m really, really excited, I’m known for doing silly things. It’s a once in a lifetime adventure – although I do fancy being shot out of a cannon.

“I would like to thank the Hartlepool people for all their support.”