A DAREDEVIL family – including a 78-year-old adrenalin addict from Rawdon – are celebrating their latest death-defying stunt.

Chris Jackson from Bingley bravely stood on top of a biplane last month as it swooped above Breighton Aerodrome, near Selby, raising £1,500 in the process for Cancer Research UK.

Mr Jackson, 58, said: “It was fantastic – it was something I’ve always wanted to do and I loved it.

“I’d like to thank everyone who supported me, especially my colleagues at Marrose engineering in Keighley."

And that same aerodrome is where Chris’ dad, Bryan, has just started taking flying lessons – aged 85.

“I’ve always been interested in aircraft and wanted to fly and it got to the point in life where I couldn’t think of an excuse not to do it, if that makes sense,” said retired motor mechanic Mr Jackson Senior, also of Bingley.

“Last August, I was driving past Leeds Bradford Airport when I saw a sign offering trial flights. I just went in, waited half an hour and then went up with an instructor.

“It was so different and exciting I just loved it instantly – the bug bit me.”

Widower Mr Jackson heard about Breighton’s training flights and has so far had 20 lessons in a Cessna 150 two-seater.

He added: “Obviously, I don’t pick things up as quickly as an 18-year-old and I don’t know if I’ll ever qualify as a pilot – I don’t think I’d really want to go up on my own.

“But I do take-offs, fly and do landings, which can sometimes be a bit bumpy.

“My favourite route is down the coastline from Whitby”

Chris Jackson’s aunty, Sheila Wowk, from Rawdon is also an adrenalin addict – aged 78.

She said: “I took a Lamborghini Gallardo round a racetrack on my 73rd birthday, which was just brilliant.

“And when I was in Switzerland that year, I did a 25-minute paraglide from the top of a mountain.

“My latest thing was doing Europe’s longest zip wire in North Wales last summer. My son Darren took me there as a treat. It was beautiful – you’re suspended lying flat and fly down at 100mph face first.

“What I’d love is to be winched from a mountain or from a ship by a helicopter.

“Bryan’s also learning to sail. We’re a crazy family, we are.”

He will be taking off from Breighton Aerodrome, Selby, on Sunday, June 26. Anyone who wants to donate can do so at justgiving.com/fundraising/Chris-Jackson2016