The Royal Tank Regiment helped blind Alma Metson in her hopes to raise more than £500 for a Hounslow charity, just months before her 80th birthday.
The plucky pensioner, of Neville Close, Hounslow, was dwarfed by the huge vehicle when members of the Royal Tank Regiment took her for a spin in Wiltshire last Monday.
It was an emotional day for Alma, who - as well as raising cash for The 2000 Club, a disabled sports and social group based in Hounslow - was determined to complete the sponsored ride in tribute to her late daughter.
Alison Metson raised thousands of pounds for charities including children's hospices and Kent Air Ambulance with her friend David, a fellow Harley Davidson bike fanatic, before dying suddenly in June, aged just 42, from a blood clot.
"She (Alison) did so much for charity and I was determined to do this in her honour, even though she would probably have had me certified if she'd found out about this," said Alma. "It was great fun, although it was difficult getting up there because you don't realise how tall tanks are until you get up close to one.
"I must be stark raving mad; I never thought they'd let me do it."
The sponsored ride was organised by 2000 Club patron Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind-up radio, and club president Alan Stacey, both of whom joined Alma in the tank.
The money raised will help provide accessible transport for members of the charity, based in Sutton Lane, along with information for visually-impaired people.
Alma, who worked at a cardboard factory in the Great West Road, Brentford, for nearly 20 years, was born with cataracts and has been completely blind since 1966.
She completed a sponsored horse ride last year, raising £600 for charity, and is already busy planning her next fundraiser - roller-skating with a friend.
It's not too late to sponsor Alma. Call Alan Stacey on 07944 394 270 to make a donation.
