102-year-old woman becomes one of world’s oldest skydivers

By Faye Mayern via SWNS

A 102-year-old woman has become the oldest skydiver in Britain after jumping out of a plane at 7,000ft (2,133m).

Daredevil Manette Baillie took part in a tandem skydive on Sunday, August 25 at Beccles Airfield in Suffolk in her first-ever parachute jump to celebrate her birthday.

She said she was 'breathless' after the jump in aid of good causes such as the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Benhall Village Hall.

Manette, from Benhall, Suffolk, told BBC Radio 4: "It was a bit scary. I must admit I shut my eyes very firmly.

"I just want other people who are getting towards 80 and 90 not to give up anything. Just keep going.

"I've been so lucky to be fit and well that I've got to do something with it, that's really the back of it.

"I can't just waste it, other people are crippled with arthritis and I'm not."

Manette served in the Woman’s Royal Naval Service (WRENS) during WWII and has always had a thirst of adventure.

She celebrated her 100th birthday at Silverstone behind the wheel of a Ferrari speeding at over 130 miles an hour - and still drives her own car.

She said her secret to living a long and fulfilling life is "community, friends and being among people".

A celebration party is to be held at her beloved Benhall & Sternfield Ex Servicemen’s Village Social Club, which was originally built for ex-servicemen returning from the war.

Manette, who loves board games, added: "The Benhall Village Hall started as a rickety tin hut for those coming home from the war.

"I want to help do it up for the next generation. No doubt, there’ll be more wars to come and more young people back needing a place to gather."

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