A DARING pensioner from Walton defied her age by leaping from a plane for charity.
Thrill-seeker Joan Davies, 80, decided to take on a tandem skydive to raise cash for St Helena Hospice while ticking the spectacular stunt off her bucket list.
Despite being dubbed “daft” by pals, Joan, of Walton Road, was flown up to 13,000ft from a Suffolk airfield.
Once they hit the right altitude she leapt out attached to an expert instructor and plummeted towards the ground in a speedy freefall before opening the parachute.
Joan said: “I’ve always done a paraglide in Turkey when I have been over there on holiday and a friend of mine said if you can do that, you could do a skydive.
“I decided I wanted to have a bash, so I went for it.”
She booked the skydive through St Helena Hospice and pledged to raise sponsorship cash for the charity.
Joan said: “I wasn’t nervous at all, but I’ve done a few things like the paragliding and this was just something different to try and challenge myself.
“The day itself was fine. I wouldn’t say I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was certainly an experience.
“As you jump out you shoot down towards the ground, then when you pull the parachute it pulls you up really quickly again. That was probably the worst part.”
Joan had a rough landing and picked up a couple of minor injuries, but is now back to her best.
She raised nearly £650 with her daring exploits and has handed the cash over to the hospice.
She added: “I’m lucky to have good friends and neighbours who supported me.
“They called me all sorts of things, like mad, daft and a glutton for punishment, but I’m glad to have done it.”
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