A DEDICATED fundraiser who has collected more than £40,000 is going up in the world for one last major challenge.

Catherine Alexander has conquered the world’s fastest zip line, an adrenaline-pumping abseil and braved the waters of the Forth in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Now, she is planning to mark her 50th birthday by taking to the sky for a wing walk.

She said: “I have always talked about doing it and just thought, ‘I’m 50, why not just do it?’

“I have done most other things so just do a wing walk.

“I’m not one for fitness – marathons will kill a person – whereas I am not scared of heights, so, why not?”

The wing walk will see Catherine, who lives on Haddington’s Chalybeate, strapped to the wing of a Boeing Stearman Biplane.

The 10-minute flight allows wing walkers to experience speeds of up to 135 miles per hour above the countryside near Leeds.

Catherine admitted many people thought she was “mad” when she told them about her plan.

She said: “Most people think I am mad. I do feel it is actually quite safe.

“I will be nervous on the day but I actually feel quite excited about it.”

The owner of Short Cuts, off Haddington’s Market Street, has spent more than a decade raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The good cause offers free, confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones.

Catherine’s dad, Jim, passed away 12 years ago with lung cancer, which led her to hold a series of fundraisers.

As well as the wing walk, Catherine has completed the world’s fastest zip line, on which adventurers travel at speeds of more than 100 mph, in north Wales.

She has also said goodbye to her long locks, and abseiled off the Forth Bridge.

And, despite confirming this would be her last “big” fundraiser, she stressed that fundraising would continue with the salon’s popular bake sale.

Looking ahead to August 20, she said: “This is going to be my last one.

“Nobody believes me but I will carry on fundraising but mainly just the annual Short Cuts coffee morning.”

Pauline Macmillan, senior relationship fundraising manager Scotland south and west, Macmillan Cancer Support, wished the fundraiser well.

She said: “We can’t thank Catherine enough for her continued support and incredible fundraising efforts over the years.

“She’s an inspiration and we want to wish her the best of luck with her latest challenge.”

To make a donation, go to www.justgiving.com/page/catherine-alexander-1687944820025