Betty Bromage, a 97-year-old stroke survivor, has broken her own Guinness World Record as the oldest female wing walker, and she has hinted that she may take on more challenges in the future. Her latest aerial stunt involved standing on the wings of an airplane during flight, an achievement she discussed on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday, August 6.
Record-Breaking Achievement
Betty, a former children's nurse, first set the record four years ago and has now completed six wing walks since the age of 87. She is raising money for the stroke unit at Cheltenham General Hospital, where she was treated after suffering a stroke in August last year, which still affects her speech.
Speaking about her experience, she admitted: “It’s a bit hair-raising, you’re concentrating, you’re moving so fast and you’re trembling a bit. You just think, ‘It will be over in a few minutes, so it will be alright.'”
Future Plans
Despite being left with some bruising, Betty told hosts Charlie Stayt and Sarah Campbell that her challenges may not be over. When asked about her future plans, she quipped: “I’ll see what next year brings. It’s getting through everyday at my age.”
When questioned whether she would attempt the same feat at 100, she replied: “If I live that long, I said I’ll have a go!”
Motivation and Recovery
Betty previously explained why she undertakes such challenges: “I just get bored of life, otherwise.” She added: “When you get old, you can’t go here, can’t do this, can’t drive, can’t see, I can’t see very well, and I get a bit frustrated, so I want to do the things that I can do.”
Reflecting on her recovery from the stroke, she said: “It affects my words, I go to say a word and it doesn’t always come out. But the rest of me, I’m fit as a fiddle, well, for a 97-year-old.”
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
