Bognor woman doing a wing walk to raise money for cancer-hit family

“I won’t get to be 60, so everyone who’s older than me, I think you’re so lucky. Do it. Do all these things that you want to do, Don’t put anything off. You want to walk on the wing of a plane? go for it! Because you’re privileged to reach 60.”
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Julie Holmes from Bognor will mark her 60th birthday (June 25) by strapping herself to a plane and taking to the skies as she raises money for Ellie Griffiths, a former play therapist diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.

“I’m bricking it, I won’t lie,” Mrs Holmes said. “I’m going to have to wear very big knickers and not eat anything before I go up.”

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Mrs Griffiths, a 40-year-old mum of two, was diagnosed in 2018. Last year, as the cancer spread, that became a stage 4 diagnosis.

Julie Holmes (left) and Ellie Griffiths (right)Julie Holmes (left) and Ellie Griffiths (right)
Julie Holmes (left) and Ellie Griffiths (right)

“For me, it’s about my children. They’re going to grow up for a lot of their life without their mother and I’m trying to make the best of the time I’ve got,” she said.

Mrs Holmes, pictured left, says she was inspired by her friend’s.

“I know what I’m like, I would probably chicken out at some point, but seeing my beautiful friend Ellie being so brave every single day means I can do it for one hour,” she said.

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The money raised will help Mrs Griffiths and her family make the most of their time together.

“I think it’s amazing,” she said. “When I first found out about it, I cried. People are so kind and thoughtful. I’m so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life who go out of their way to show they care about us.

“It’ll be nice just to be able to say to my children, ‘yes, we can do it!

“I won’t get to be 60, so everyone who’s older than me, I think you’re so lucky. Do all these things that you want to do. Don’t put anything off. Because you’re privileged to reach 60.”

“If you have any worries- if it’s a lump or bit of skin, anything that doesn’t look right- go to the doctors.”

To find out more and donate, visit Mrs Holmes’ JustGiving page.

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