A GRANDMOTHER is preparing to take to the skies in a daring wing walk after her 11-year-old grandson was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

Julie Snow and her friend Paula Johans, both from Liverton’ will strap themselves to the wing of a plane on September 6 to raise money for four charities close to their hearts — Cancer Research, Crohn’s & Colitis, Pete’s Dragons and The Shallowford Trust.

But for Julie, the challenge has taken on a particularly personal meaning since her grandson’s diagnosis.

The youngster has suffered with the condition since he was just two years old, but Julie said difficulties with testing when he was younger meant it took years for him to receive a diagnosis and, crucially, treatment.

She said: ‘My grandson has just been diagnosed. He is 11 now, but he’s suffered since he was two.

‘They can’t do blood tests when they are that young because the tests don’t show anything. And without the positive blood tests, they won’t give the medication, just in case’.

Julie said the illness has prevented her grandson from enjoying many of the activities other children take for granted.

‘He can’t go and play football with his friends, or even ride a bike’, she said. ‘All the normal things children do, he’s not been able to do.

‘He’s missed so much school because of it too — though he’s done marvellous in his SATs’.

The friends came up with the wing walk idea after both having completed skydives.

Julie said: ‘I did a skydive two years ago, and Paula has done two. I saw Paula and said, ‘We have to do a wing walk’.”

Their fundraising has already topped its £4,000 target, with money raised through car boot sales, bingo and pig racing.

And the fundraising will continue after the wing walk, with the pair holding an auto jumble sale at The Star Inn, Liverton, on September 27 from 8am to 11.30am.

Stallholders can book by contacting Paula on 07732 170778.