MOST people don’t strap themselves to a biplane to celebrate their 74th birthday.

But after losing a close friend to cancer, local man Richard Nugent has decided to raise money for two cancer support charities by completing a wing walk above the old First World War airfield at Rendcomb, near Cirencester.

Richard, who rears chickens on his farm in Llantilio Crossenny, will undertake the challenge next month and hopes to raise as much money as possible for St David’s Hospice Care and the Velindre Cancer Centre.

The aircraft being used for the event will be a Stearman biplane, an aircraft formerly used as a military training aircraft during the 1930s and 40s. Many were modified for cropdusting use, employing the use of a hopper for pesticide or fertiliser fitted in place of the front cockpit.

Richard was inspired to attempt the feat after going for a ride in a Tiger Moth which he could remember being used for cropdusting.

Rather than something more usual for charity fundraising such as sky diving, Richard wanted to try something "a bit different".

"I don’t like heights, so I didn’t want to jump out!" he said.

And when asked how he felt about the perils of the event he said, "it’ll be no different to sitting in an aluminium tube!

"What’s going to happen is going to happen".

Richard, a keen fan of motorcycle racing, wasn’t too concerned about being strapped to an aircraft flying at around 120 miles per hour when the Isle of Man TT motorcyclists travel upwards of 200 miles per hour.

Richard was moved to take part in the challenge when he visited the Velindre Cancer Centre and sympathised with the struggle so many had, dealing with chemotherapy.

So far £3,000 from a number of sources has been raised with hopefully much more to come. Richard will be splitting the money evenly between St David’s Hospice Care and the Velindre Cancer Centre.

The wing walking event itself will be at the Rendcomb aerodrome in Cirencester at 12pm on 18th July. Sponsors are welcome to go and watch on the day.

If you would like to contribute to Richard’s campaign visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/richard-nugent