Shirley Ballas showed her daring side again on Thursday as she embarked on an impressive wing walk to raise money for the CALM charity in honor of her late brother David.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 62, gave a thumbs up and a beaming smile as she took to the skies while strapped to the top of a yellow single-engine plane at Headcorn Airfield in Ashford, Kent.
Shirley and her family were devastated when her brother David, of Wallasey, Merseyside, died in 2003 at the age of 44 after suffering from depression.
And the dancer would certainly make her late sibling proud as she soared 700 feet into the air as part of her skyathon to help Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) help those struggling with life and prevent more from being lost by suicide.
Shirley, who also skydives as part of her skyathon, looked great sitting on top of the plane for her wing walk.
Wow: Shirley Ballas showed her daring side on Thursday as she embarked on a wing walk to raise money for the CALM charity in honor of her late brother David
Cool: The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 62, gave a thumbs up and beamed smile as she took to the skies while strapped to the top of a yellow single-engine plane at Headcorn Airfield in Ashford, Kent
She was ready for action dressed in a CALM T-shirt, white shirt and black leggings, finished off with a pair of trainers.
The Queen of Latin donned a pair of glasses and swept her dark brown locks into a ponytail as she took off.
It comes days after Shirley impressed when she rode the world’s fastest zipline in North Wales in part one of her epic challenge.
She donned a helmet and safety gear for the stunt, despite previously revealing that she was “afraid of heights.”
During the journey, the ballroom dancer, who also recently lost a friend to suicide, flew 4,000 feet over the Penrhyn Quarry, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph.
She said of her achievement, “I am absolutely terrified of heights, but after losing my brother to suicide and very recently a close friend, I want to use my platform for positive change and raise awareness of the life-saving services CALM provides to those who are having a hard time. ‘.
“I’m not just doing it for myself, I’m doing it for anyone who has lost someone to suicide and anyone who is currently suffering and may need support.”
Before adding, “Please join my challenge and donate what you can. It all makes a huge difference’.
Loss: Shirley and her family were devastated when her brother David, from Wallasey, Merseyside, died aged 44 in 2003 after suffering from depression
Look at her go! And the dancer was sure to make her late sibling proud as she soared 700 feet into the air as part of her skyathon
What a woman: Shirley’s challenge is taken to help Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) help those struggling with life and prevent more people from being lost to suicide
Good for you: Shirley, who also skydives as part of her skyathon, looked great sitting on top of the plane for her wing walk
Ready to go: She was ready for action dressed in a CALM T-shirt, white shirt and black leggings, finished off with a pair of trainers
High flyer: The Queen of Latin donned a pair of glasses and swept her brunette locks into a ponytail as she took off
Easy does it: Shirley got a helping hand as she climbed onto the plane
Safety first: A safety expert made sure she was securely fastened in her harness
Fantastic! The star looked incredible as it soared into the sky on the sunny August day
The charity’s helpline staff receive a 25% increase in calls during the summer months, speaking to someone in distress every 59 seconds.
Every day, 18 people in the UK take their own lives tragically. CALM exists to change this – by providing life-saving support, creating culture-changing campaigns and bringing people together across the country to reject the lives of miserable people.
Shirley last year fought back tears as she discussed her late brother’s tragic suicide, with the star saying he was “everything to me.”
Nearly 20 years after his death, she got emotional during an interview on This Morning as she reflected on the warning signs of her sibling’s internal struggles.
She saw her tears wipe away when she touched David’s photo, one of many on display in a CALM exhibition on London’s Southbank, which shows the smiling faces of 50 people shortly before they committed suicide.
Impressive: It comes days after Shirley impressed when she rode the fastest zipline in the world in North Wales in part one of her epic challenge
Scary stuff: Shirley wore a helmet and safety gear for the stunt despite previously revealing she was ‘afraid of heights’
Shirley told hosts Phillip Schofield: ‘Seeing my brother standing there in Southbank brought everything back, now if I knew what I knew I could have helped.
‘Everyone loved him. He was a big brother. He was like a father. He was everything to me.
“We talked every day at four. He really was the last person I thought would commit suicide.’
Since her brother’s death, Shirley has become a staunch campaigner for mental health awareness, even co-founding the charity The Ballas Foundation with her son Mark.
Tragic: David, from Wallasey, Merseyside, took his own life in 2003 aged 44 after suffering from depression, leaving Shirley and her family heartbroken (pictured last year)
Zoom! Shirley said, “I am absolutely terrified of heights, but having lost my brother to suicide and a close friend very recently, I want to use my platform for positive change and raise awareness of the life-saving services CALM provides to those who need it. To have a hard time’
Shirley is said to have felt “overwhelming grief” when her brother David committed suicide in 2003.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is united against suicide with everyone in the UK.
The campaign is led by vital, life-saving support, impactful conversations and collective action. If you’re struggling, talk to CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (UK) or via our web chat.
Our trained counselors are available every day from 5pm to midnight to provide practical support and advice, whatever you’re going through. For more information about CALM, our services or for support or advice visit www.thecalmzone.net.