May 26 (UPI) — A 98-year-old British World War II veteran officially became the world’s oldest wing walker when he stood atop a flying plane in England.
Harry Heasman spent more than 9 minutes atop the plane at a height of over 1,000 feet on Saturday at Duxford Airfield in Cambridge.
A Guinness World Records adjudicator was on hand to officially certify Heasman as the world’s oldest wing walker.
“I have dreamed of doing this since I was a young child and to finally live that dream at 98 years old and to be a Guinness World Records title holder is beyond anything I could have ever imagined,” Heasman told Guinness World Records.
The nonagenarian said he spent 11 months working with a physical trainer to get his body and mind ready for the attempt.
His record attempt raised money for the Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund and served as a tribute to his wife and son, who both died after battles with cancer.
“Harry is proof that it is never too late to chase a dream. At 98 years old, what he has achieved is nothing short of extraordinary. Over the last few months, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know him and seeing the determination behind this challenge,” said Lindsey Bidwell, a representative from the Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund.
“To do this whilst raising money to help children with cancer, makes it even more special. Harry truly is a national treasure, and our team and the families he is raising money for will be forever grateful,” she said.