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Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells nurse Sue Kerkin from Staplehurst wing walks with patient Gordon McKee at Headcorn Aerodrome for charity Parkinson's UK

By: Ed McConnell emcconnell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 17:15, 29 August 2014

Balance problems and severe tremors do not on the face of it go hand in hand with aerobatic stunts, but that did not hold back one plucky Parkinson's patient as he took to the skies in a charity wingwalk.

Gordon McKee, 50, was diagnosed with the condition 10 years ago and teamed up with friend and nurse Sue Kerkin for the stunt at Headcorn Aerodrome.

The daredevil pair, who met at Tunbridge Wells hospital, took turns to be strapped on to the wings of the biplane and were flown through the air in aid of Parkinson's UK.

From left, Sue Kerkin, a Parkinson Nurse with one of her patient's Gordon McKee just before both of them wing walk

The 51-year-old Parkinson's nurse from Headcorn Road, Staplehurst, didn’t know what to expect in the run up to the event and admitted she is terrified of flying.

She said: “We wanted to think of something eye catching that would get people’s imaginations working and draw attention to the condition."

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It has worked and she says people have been talking about it constantly since, with the total raised going up all the time and currently standing at £4,600.

The trio will be heading for the skies. Stock pic

Mr McKee, from Norman Road, Tunbridge Wells, is no stranger to aerial acrobatics, having completed a tandem skydive last year and Mrs Kerkin says that this previous achievement encouraged her to fight back her nerves and complete the flight.

Mr McKee said: “The most anxious moment came when I was climbing onto the wing. It was really exciting and I would do it again without hesitation.

“Next, maybe I’ll swim with sharks or climb Everest backwards.”

Gordon McKee, a Parkinson patient, enjoys the experience

Crowds flocked to the field to watch the charity wing walk, with many of Mrs Kerkin's own patients turning up.

Crowds watch on as Sue Kerkin and Gordon McKee wing walk for Pakinsons UK

There are early plans for future projects in the works but Mrs Kerkin says in order to top the wing walk the pair will have to think up something quite special.

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/skerkin.

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