Taking the plunge - Jean is skydiving at 89
Jumping out of a plane at 13,000ft is a terrifying idea for many people but among those approaching 90 most would think it out of question.
But not 89-year-old Jean Seckington, who celebrated her birthday by doing just that. Mrs Seckington, of Lydbury North, near Bishop's Castle, raised £2,000 for charity by joining the Red Devils – the British Army Parachute Regiment – on a tandem dive at Netheravon Airfield, near Salisbury.
After a first try was called off due to bad weather, the dive was rescheduled for Mrs Seckington's birthday on Sunday, where she was strapped to Corporal Mike French for the drop, with ground instruction from Lance Corporal Andy Wells.
The daredevil stunt raised money for the Mahaque Well Project, which aims to bring clean drinking water to the poor in Africa.
Mrs Seckington is no stranger to charity work, having been a volunteer at Lydbury North Community Shop for 13 years.
Other volunteers from the shop travelled to Wiltshire for the occasion. Mrs Seckington said: "It was great, it was brilliant – but the swirling round was a little bit sickening."
Cheques in donation towards the Mahaque Well Project can be sent, payable to Jean Seckington, to The Lydbury North Community Shop, 61 Lydbury North, SY7 8AR.
