This was not the first time the former war veteran sought an adrenaline rush.
A 102-year-old woman in the UK chose an unusual birthday celebration this year. On August 25, Manette Baillie, who was once married to a paratrooper and served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service during World War II, jumped out of a plane with a parachute, becoming the oldest woman to do so.
Mrs Baillie jumped as part of a charity event with UK Parachuting Services Ltd, raising money for Benhall Community Hall, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the East Anglian Air Ambulance, which saved her son’s life following a diving accident on the Isle of Wight in 1969. Her efforts have so far raised over £10,000 of her £30,000 target, inspiring others to give back.
Shortly after her jump from a height of 2,130 metres above Beccles airfield in East Anglia, Ms Baillie told BBC radio she was “out of breath”.
“It was a little scary. I have to admit, I closed my eyes really tightly,” she added.
On the subject of healthy ageing, she explained: “I just want other people who are approaching 80 or 90 not to give up on anything. Just keep going. I’ve been so lucky to be fit and healthy that I have to do something with it, that’s really the key,” she said. I can’t just waste it, other people are crippled by arthritis, I’m not.”
Check out the post here:
The incredible Manette Baillie skydiving this morning at Beccles Airfield to celebrate her 102nd birthday, sponsored by Goldster!! #manettebaillie#102yearoldskydiverpic.twitter.com/q1FOZtqzyU
— Goldster (@GoldsterClub) 25 August 2024
It wasn’t the first time the former war veteran had sought an adrenaline rush. To mark her 100th birthday, she drove a Ferrari around Silverstone at 210km/h, setting another record. Speaking to Radio 4, she reiterated her fearlessness, saying: “I’m not scared, really. It’s not good. First it’s 210km/h before they pull the ripcords for the parachute, and then it floats gently down.”
Ms Baillie was motivated to take on a skydiving challenge after a friend’s 85-year-old father accomplished something similar. “If an 85-year-old man can do it, I can do it,” she remarked.
According to The Guardian, Prince William also praised Ms Baillie for her bravery. In a heartfelt message, the prince wrote: “Catherine and I have heard that you are going to celebrate your 102nd birthday with a skydive! Given your history of racing a Ferrari at 100, this is no surprise!”
