102-Year-Old Woman Becomes UK's Oldest Skydiver

Recently, a 102-year-old woman from the UK celebrated her birthday by skydiving from a plane, hoping her bold move would inspire other elderly people to stay active.

An Adventurous Spirit

Manette Baillie, a grandmother from Benhall Green in Suffolk, England, is no stranger to adventure. On August 25, 2024, she celebrated her 102nd birthday by skydiving at Beccles Airfield. Accompanied by an instructor, she jumped from approximately 2,100 meters and landed safely, becoming the oldest skydiver in the UK.

A Moment of Courage

Footage from the event shows Baillie looking calm and composed, with her instructor making gestures behind her. As the parachute gently approached the ground and landed on the grass, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

After landing, Baillie told reporters, "Flying in the sky felt wonderful!" She admitted that the challenge was "a bit scary," but she mustered the courage to jump with her instructor.

Skydiving for a Cause

Baillie decided to take on the skydiving challenge not only to celebrate her birthday but also to raise funds for three local charities. One of these charities, the East Anglia Air Ambulance (EAAA), had saved her son's life during a diving accident in 1969. Remarkably, Baillie raised over £10,000 for these causes.

Reflecting on her achievement, Baillie expressed hope that her brave act would encourage "those approaching their 80s and 90s not to give up on trying new things and to keep moving forward."

A Life of Service and Adventure

Baillie is a retired veteran who served in the Women's Royal Naval Service during World War II and was deployed to Egypt. Before her skydive, she said, "You have to keep looking for new things to try. I was married to a paratrooper but had never experienced skydiving myself."

Notably, Baillie received a handwritten letter from the Prince of Wales before her jump. The Prince commended her decision to skydive and highlighted the importance of her fundraising efforts in saving lives.

Previous Adventures

This was not Baillie's first extreme challenge. Two years ago, she celebrated her 100th birthday by driving a Ferrari at 130 mph (210 km/h) around the Silverstone circuit.

Baillie shared that her secret to health and longevity is embracing extreme challenges, staying connected with the community, friends, and others, and attending social gatherings.

"Stay busy, be interested in everything, and be kind to everyone around you, and they will be kind to you in return," she advised.

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