Caption: Manette Bailey. Sponsor Goldster X Capture
‘102-year-old grandmother, who was a World War II veteran, becomes the oldest skydiver in the UK.’
According to the British daily The Guardian on the 25th (local time), Manette Bailey challenged skydiving on her 102nd birthday.
She set the record for the oldest skydiver in the UK that day. The previous record was held by Verdun Hayes, a man who jumped at the age of 101 years and 38 days in May 2017.
Bailey had a career serving in the navy in Egypt during World War II. Before jumping from 2,100m high, she said, “One should always seek out new experiences. I was married to a parachutist, but I have never jumped myself.”
She decided to take on the challenge after hearing a story about a friend’s father who skydived at the age of 85, thinking, “If an 85-year-old can do it, I can too.”
After successfully skydiving, she said, “When the plane door opened, there was nothing more I could do or say. I just jumped.”
Through this challenge, she raised £10,000 (approximately 17.5 million won) for local charities.
This is not Bailey’s first challenge. On her 100th birthday two years ago, she drove a Ferrari at the Silverstone Circuit at a speed of 210 km/h.
Bailey attributes her healthy longevity to being involved in the community, socializing with friends and people, and enjoying parties.
In an interview with the BBC radio, she said, “I don’t feel fear. It’s a waste of time. Keep busy, take an interest in everything, be kind to others, so they are kind to you, and don’t forget to enjoy parties.”