UK woman celebrates 102nd birthday with thrilling skydive

In a birthday celebration like no other, 102-year-old Manette Baillie from Central Suffolk, UK, marked her special day by becoming the country's oldest skydiver.

Baillie jumped from a plane at an altitude of 7,000 feet, defying age and convention, BBC reported.

According to the publication, her inspiration to take the leap came from her friend's father, who went skydiving at the age of 85.

"If an 85-year-old man can do it, so can I," she said.

Despite initial reservations, Ms Baillie said she was a little scared during the experience.

"I must admit I shut my eyes very firmly," she added.

Her skydiving adventure was not only a personal achievement but also a fundraising effort for various charities. 

"I'm doing it for charity. The first one is our local club, the Benhall and Sternfield Ex-Servicemen's Club. It's the centre of our village and the only one we have for the community to get together. It's an old club, it was started at the end of the First World War for all of the ex-service people.

"The second charity is the Motor Neurone Disease Association because I have a great-niece suffering from it and it needs funds for research. The other is the East Anglia Air Ambulance. I've always been very fond of them."

Following the feat, she also became Britain's oldest person to skydive, the record was previously held by 101 and 38 days old Verdun Hayes.