William Hague’s dad wing-walks over the Channel

Nigel Hague, who has raised almost £200,000 for the NSPCC with a series of daredevil stunts in the past, took part in the challenge on the anniversary of the D-Day Landings, his own personal tribute to those who lost their lives. He began the wing walk in Calais and arrived 45 minutes later in Kent.

The 85-year-old, of Harley, near Rotherham, said: “When you get to my age you’re not really afraid of anything, although I have to admit doing a wing walk across the channel was quite a challenge.

“The whole thing went fine, the weather was absolutely perfect for it. The only real problem was a fly that got caught in my goggles for about ten minutes.

“It is a an exhilarating experience, but not completely pleasant, and isn’t as dangerous as mountain climbing, I think.”

His son, who was in Normandy at the commemorations, laughs about his endeavours, and it is partly done to his political colleagues that Mr Hague has been able to raise so much in sponsorship over the last five years.

The stunt raised money for Lost Chord, a Maltby-based dementia charity, set up by Helena Muller 15 years ago.

From small beginnings providing interactive musical sessions for people in a handful of South Yorkshire care homes and day centres, it now works across the country, providing sessions at 130 venues a month.

Mrs Muller said: “For somebody of his age to risk life and limb and be strapped on top of a plane for 40 minutes is beyond belief.

“As a charity, we have always lived hand to mouth, so such a big donation is a real boost.”