A British woman celebrates an incredible birthday by jumping out of a plane.
After her momentous jump, Ms Baillie said: “When the door opened, I thought there’s nothing more I can do or say. Just jump.”
For Manette Baillie from Suffolk, her “mission is accomplished”.
Baillie took on the challenge of raising money for three causes close to her heart: the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Benhall Village Hall.
So far she has managed to raise £9,000 of her £30,000 goal.
“Well, I guess I jumped. I remember my legs giving out and it’s kind of a blur. I closed my eyes.”
“We seemed to be traveling at very high speed.”
Baillie, who recently turned 102, was accompanied by her family, friends and neighbours as she took on the challenge, who were proud of her and cheered her on.
“She is a rock, fearless, she doesn’t complain about tragedies for long,” said her close friend Humphrey Hawksley.
“I had tears in my eyes up there. It’s incredible what she does,” said experienced skydiver and cameraman Nick Herridge.
There were some concerns about the jump and the possibility that it might be cancelled because of the wind, but instead it was brought forward and Manette remained calm.
Before the jump, as she put on her jumpsuit and practiced her landing, the former Wren was relaxed and stoic, saying, “There’s no reason to be nervous. You just have to keep going. You just have to do it.”
Only when she had solid ground under her feet again did she admit to being a little nervous: “When the door opened, I already had a queasy feeling in my stomach.”
Manette is known among her friends for going all out to celebrate her milestones.
“She is an inspiration, what will she do on her 103rd birthday?!” said her great-niece Izzy Robinson.
Baillie served in the Women’s Royal Navy Service (WRENS) in Egypt during World War II and is a regular seeker of thrills and adventure.
She still drives regularly and even celebrated her 100th birthday by driving a Ferrari racing car at 210 km/h around the Silverstone race track.
“I play an active role in the community and people often ask me what the secret to old age is. Of course it’s luck, but I would say stay active both physically and mentally and maintain social contacts!” Ms Baillie previously said.
Click the link below to see their incredible skydiving journey!
(23) 102-year-old breaks skydiving record – YouTube
Source: News Sky
