102-year-old Manette takes on a record-breaking sky-dive!

Manette Baillie from Suffolk plans to mark her 102^nd birthday with a record-breaking sky-dive over East Anglia. She will be the oldest person in Britain to have made a jump. And it will be her first time.

We love hearing about the inspirational stories from EAAA supporters, so we were completely overwhelmed when we heard about Manette’s kindness and her exciting plans to celebrate her 102^nd birthday. She will be completing the tandem skydive on Sunday 25 August at Beccles Airfield to raise money for three causes that are close to her heart, East Anglian Air Ambulance being one of them, alongside Motor Neurone Disease Association and Benhall Village Hall.

Manette, who served in the Woman’s Royal Naval Service (WRENS) in Egypt during the Second World War, says: “You must always look for something new. I was once married to a paratrooper but have never done it [a sky-dive] myself.”

Well wishes and sky-diving tips have come in from parachutists and experts studying how best to live fulfilling lives well into old age. Manette has even received a personal letter from the Prince of Wales.

Manette still drives and she celebrated her 100^th birthday behind the wheel of a Ferrari racing car at Silverstone, reaching a speed of 130 miles an hour.

“Community, friends and being among people is my secret to a fulfilling life,” she says.  “Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you and let them be kind to you. And don’t forget to party.”

Manette’s tandem sky-dive will raise funds to provide life-saving support for East Anglian Air Ambulance. As a charity that receives no regular government funding, we almost entirely on the kindness, donations and fundraising from the public. Manette will help to provide advanced critical care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to the most seriously ill and injured people in the region by air and road. What an incredibly special way to recognise a landmark birthday.

From everybody at East Anglian Air Ambulance, a heartfelt thank you and happy birthday, Manette.