102-year-old British woman Manette Bailey has become the oldest person to skydive in the UK. The feat was accomplished on Sunday, August 25, at Beccles Airfield in eastern Britain as part of his birthday celebrations.
Bailey, who has already defied his age by hitting the Silverstone racetrack in a Ferrari at the age of 100, revealed that the parachute jump was a remarkable experience. “I have to admit I closed my eyes pretty tight. I don't want others approaching 80 and 90 to leave anything behind. Just keep going,” he said.
Although he had no desire to skydive, Bailey decided to take on the challenge to raise funds for a number of charities including the Penhall and Sternfield Military Veterans Club, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the East Anglia Air Ambulance. “I can't waste the opportunity, other people are debilitated by arthritis, I'm not,” joked Bailey, who noted that her niece suffers from motor neurone disease and that the air ambulance saved her son's life. 1969.
After the jump, the elderly woman admitted to being “a little scared and out of breath” but maintained a sense of adventure and determination.
Source and photos: Rede.
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