![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/shirley-ballas-emotional-after-terrifying-challenge-for-mental-health-awareness/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_Shirley-Ballas-is-embraced-by-Daniel-Taylor-after-completing-her-wing-walk-at-700ft-in-the-Skyathlon-challenge-Yui-MokPA.jpg&description=Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas took to the skies in a daring 700ft wing walk to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention with mental health charity Calm In an emotional display of courage, 62-year-old Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas took to the skies in a daring 700ft wing walk to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. Ballas, visibly moved, soared to new heights on Thursday, strapped atop a propeller plane that took off from Headcorn Airfield near Ashford in Kent. Upon completing the challenge, she was warmly embraced by her partner, Daniel Taylor, as she wiped away tears. Speaking to the PA news agency after the wing walk, Ballas confessed: "That was difficult and tough. I had to mentally be in a strong place to even climb up on the plane, never mind be strapped to it. But I'm so glad I did it." This feat marks the second part of Ballas's Skyathlon challenge. Earlier this week, she flew through the air on the world's fastest zipline across Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales. The final leg of her challenge will see her skydiving across Peterborough from a staggering height of 13,000ft above ground on Saturday. When asked about her upcoming skydive, she admitted: "This whole week has been quite terrifying for me, but I will do it because I have promised to do it for everybody and all of their loved ones, but the thought of jumping out of an aeroplane at 13,000ft, with a 2,000ft freefall ... all I keep thinking about is 'will the parachute open'?" In a candid revelation, the professional dancer confessed, "So, I'm a bit nervous about that actually I'm very nervous!" She's bravely taking on a trio of challenges in support of the Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm). The dancer turned ambassador for Calm revealed her personal connection to the cause, sharing that she "wanted to do more" for her brother, who tragically took his own life around two decades ago. Ballas, a renowned ballroom dancer, teacher, and adjudicator, is best){kind=link}
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas took to the skies in a daring 700ft wing walk to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention with mental health charity Calm
In an emotional display of courage, 62-year-old Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas took to the skies in a daring 700ft wing walk to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention.
Ballas, visibly moved, soared to new heights on Thursday, strapped atop a propeller plane that took off from Headcorn Airfield near Ashford in Kent. Upon completing the challenge, she was warmly embraced by her partner, Daniel Taylor, as she wiped away tears.
Speaking to the PA news agency after the wing walk, Ballas confessed: “That was difficult and tough. I had to mentally be in a strong place to even climb up on the plane, never mind be strapped to it. But I’m so glad I did it.”
This feat marks the second part of Ballas’s Skyathlon challenge. Earlier this week, she flew through the air on the world’s fastest zipline across Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales. The final leg of her challenge will see her skydiving across Peterborough from a staggering height of 13,000ft above ground on Saturday.