Pilot living with stoma bag aims to set world record at balloon fiesta

Balloon pilot aiming to set world record at fiesta

A hot air balloon pilot who almost died after developing a twisted bowel is hoping to set a world record at Bristol's fiesta.

Jo Bailey from Bristol lives with a stoma bag after parts of her bowel were removed in 2025 when she spent two months in hospital undergoing a life-changing operation.

The 65-year-old now wants to raise money for the medical teams who supported her by breaking the world record for the most tethered hopping balloon ascents in one hour at Bristol's balloon fiesta.

Bailey said she is feeling nervous about the attempt, adding: "This challenge isn't really about records. It's about showing people that life doesn't end after major surgery. It can still be adventurous."

In 2025, Bailey said she started to suffer from chronic stomach pains and initially feared her symptoms were bowel cancer - the disease her mother died from.

Doctors soon discovered she had a twisted bowel and rushed her in for emergency operation.

While she was recovering in hospital she then developed sepsis, which is a life-threatening infection that triggers an extreme response from the immune system.

One of the most difficult symptoms for Bailey was suffering from hallucinations.

"It was horrendous. One night I remember being in ICU and thinking I'm not able to get through this. I felt my whole life force slipping away," she said.

Her world record attempt will see her going up and down in a small single person hot air balloon as many times as possible, while being securely tied by ropes.

She is attempting to raise funds for the two organisations that helped save her life - Crohn's & Colitis UK and the Intensive Care Unit at Southmead Hospital and Weston Hospitals Charity.

"I nearly lost my life several times during my illness," said Bailey, who has more than 30 years ballooning experience.

"There were moments when I wasn't sure I'd ever get home, let alone return to the world of ballooning."

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