Sky’s the limit for Tom

93 year Tom Lackey launched this years Coleraine Borough Council's N.I International Air Show by wing walking his way into the Guinness book of records as the oldest wing walker journeying across the Irish sea.

He completed a wing walk from Scotland to Northern Ireland as the oldest wing walker to cross the Irish Sea, as he stood on top of a 1942 fabric covered, plywood and wire biplane.

Tom was praised by onlookers and his close family as he arrived at City of Derry Airport last Thursday flying on a vintage 1942 Boeing Stearman biplane flown by Mr Mike Dentith.

The pensioner spent one hour and 27 minutes in the air as he flew over the Irish Sea, departing from Castle Kennedy in Scotland.

Both pilot and wingwalker received an emotional welcome by his daughter Anne Joynson, his 16 year old grand-daughter Verity Joynson and family friend, Wendy Greatbatch.

Mayor of Coleraine Councillor David Harding was one of the first to welcome Mr Lackey to the North Coast said, “this is an amazing achievement and we are in awe of Tom completing such a daunting task, for anyone of any age!

“I can not thank him enough and for the support of City of Derry Airport, for supporting the launch of Coleraine Borough Council’s NI International Airshow, sponsored by RSA. Tom’s achievements prove to everyone that the sky really is the limit!”

Inspired by the loss of his wife, Mr Lackey has since turned to charity and fund raising work in which he has raised over £1.25 million to date and was presented with the coveted ‘Pride of Britain’ award in 2011 for all his tremendous work.

This is not his first world record, as in November of last year he completed 4 crossings of the English Channel for the Guinness Book of Records, from Dover to Calais and back, twice in succession!