Four daredevil charity fund-raisers took to the skies on Sunday (2^nd August) to raise money for Skegness Day Centre.

Connor Lewis, a trainee accountant at Duncan & Toplis in Skegness, along with Mandy Hayes, Manager of Skegness Day Centre, its patron the Earl of Scarbrough and driver Sandy Grant took part in a wing walk at Wickenby Aerodrome near Market Rasen, sponsored by the Skegness office of Duncan & Toplis.

The fearless foursome each experienced a 10-minute flight strapped in a standing position on the wing of a Stearman biplane flying at speeds of up to 130mph.

Connor (19) said it was an amazing experience: “It was great fun! I was worried at first while I was being strapped in, but once we were in the air I really enjoyed it.

“Mandy and the others, however, didn’t seem fazed at all and even asked the pilot if he could fly upside down. Although we weren’t able to, it was still pretty adrenaline-fuelled as we flew straight up in the air and did lots of fast turns. I would definitely do it again but next time I’d like to do a loop-the-loop.”

With the help of his Mum and other family members Connor managed to raise just over £500 in sponsorship.

Mandy Hayes from Skegness Day Centre commented: “We would like to thank everyone who sponsored us individually and Duncan & Toplis for sponsoring the event overall.

“The money raised will go towards the Christmas party which we organise for our clients every year. This year we were aiming to raise £3,000 between us and we’re already nearly there, but more donations will be gratefully received!”

Paul McCooey, Director in charge of the Skegness office of Duncan & Toplis, said: “Skegness Day Centre is a very worthy cause and we are pleased to be supporting a local charity that does such good work in the community by sponsoring their wing walk.

“When I asked if anyone wanted to take part in the wing walk Connor was, not surprisingly, the only volunteer! We’re very proud of him for being brave enough to do it and help raise vital funds for the day centre.”

The wing walk was organised by Essex-based Aerobatic Tactics, which is the only company in the UK with permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to legally offer wing walking experience flights to the general public and wing walking for fundraising purposes.

Skegness Day Centre is a charity offering respite day care for an average of 45 people every day at its premises on Dorothy Avenue in Skegness.

If you would like to make a donation write to Mandy Hayes at Skegness Day Centre, Dorothy Avenue, Skegness PE25 2BS or call the day centre on 01754 766763.

Notes to editors:

• Duncan & Toplis was established in 1925 and has since grown into one of the largest independent firms of chartered accountants in the Midlands.
• The company appears in the top 40 UK accountancy practices list published by Accountancy Age.
• Duncan & Toplis was named ICAEW East Midlands Medium Accountancy Firm of the Year in March 2014 and 2015.
• The company has 10 offices throughout the East Midlands: in Grantham, Boston, Lincoln, Louth, Melton Mowbray, Newark, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding and Stamford.
• Duncan & Toplis offers a wide range of services to small to large-sized family businesses, from accountancy, audit and tax to payroll, human resources and computer services.
• The business employs around 350 staff, of whom 85 are currently engaged in professional training.
• Duncan & Toplis is a member of Kreston International, the global network of independent accounting firms. Kreston UK, a brand representing firms based in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, provides national coverage, a resource of over 1,950 professional and support staff and generates annual fee revenues of £122m. As a combined organisation, it would rank as the 11th largest UK firm.

For information about this news release or Duncan & Toplis please contact:
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star 
01522 528540
kate@weareshootingstar.co.uk
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