As part of a campaign, an adrenaline-loving ninety year-old believes that life begins at age 60.
Mercy Baggs is based in Wiltshire and has teamed with Wiltshire Farm Foods as well as Dame Arlene Philips to offer thrill-seekers over 55s the chance of ticking off items on their bucket lists through its Wishlist Fund.
After undergoing surgery to remove two tumours from her spine in 2007, the former police officer was unable to walk and she went on to do two skydives at the age of 77, and 89.
Mercy Baggs prepare to skydive (Mercy Baggs/PA).
According to her, she was first informed about the opportunity to skydive by the PA news agency. “I thought – I’d love to try it”.
“My husband wasn’t too keen, but the point is that I was 77 and I thought that my life was beginning to stagnate – nothing very exciting was happening – and I wanted to do something different.”
She stated that she was excited about the activity because it was charity.
She added that she enjoyed the experience. “absolutely fantastic”.
Mercy Baggs above the clouds (Mercy Baggs/PA).
“At first when the door opens, it is very cold – the wind was blowing us from side to side – but gradually you start to enjoy it.
“You’re literally skydiving and suddenly the parachute opens and you see everything below you and it’s an exhilarating experience like no other.”
She hopes her enthusiasm for life will inspire other over-55s to continue to pursue their dreams, despite being older.
“I don’t know why people just give up at a certain age.
“Life begins at 60 I believe and age is just a number.
“Never let anyone make you feel like you cannot do something because of your age because I don’t.”
Mercy Baggs claimed that skydiving was a thrilling experience (Mercy Baggs/PA).
She hopes to live up to the maxim on her 95th Birthday. ‘third time lucky’By taking on another skydive.
Arlene Phillips, Dame Arlene said: “I’d love to see more people live out their lifelong dreams in their mature years and embrace the freedom that older age brings, and that’s why I’m working with Wiltshire Farm Foods to launch the Wishlist Fund. Life is for living, so live it!”
A Wiltshire Farm Foods spokesperson added that by stepping in to help get items ticked off people’s wish lists, the food company hope to “[facilitate] the older generation’s most cherished desires.”
If you are interested in nominating yourself or another person over 55 years old for the fund, please visit the following link.https://www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com/wishlist-fund
Deadline for applications: October 25,