Seventy-five-year-old Celia Fenwick has spoken of the “amazing feeling” of plunging from 10,000 feet during her daring tandem skydive for charity.
The thrill-seeking Perth pensioner’s family cheered her on as she plummeted at speeds of 120mph from the Skydive St Andrews Centre in Glenrothes on August 28. Celia, who lives in North Muirton, turned what was a gag gift from her family for her 75th birthday into a selfless charity campaign – and believes her courageous stunt will raise around £2000 for causes close to her heart, Pancreatic Cancer UK and the British Heart Foundation.
The charities were chosen because one of Celia’s friends died from pancreatic cancer and her sister and other family members have passed away from heart failure. She arrived at the centre raring to go at 8.30am and was run through the safety briefing before being taken up into the skies with tandem skydiving instructor Paddy.
Daredevil Celia is pictured above in the middle of a thrilling 30-second free fall before the instructor pulled their parachute at around 5000 feet. Celia, who had never jumped from a plane before, said: “It was fantastic and so well organised and I felt very safe.
“It was an amazing feeling and I feel different after it. I was ready to go again right away. I think everybody should try it.
“My family, grandchildren and great grandchildren were all there cheering me on. They were all shouting ‘go granny go’.”
She added: “I thought in the plane my nerves would get going – but they never. It was so surreal and peaceful and beautiful [during the dive].
“You get a face lift as well! I can’t really describe it. Then it is quite a jerk when the parachute comes out. And the view was amazing.”
Celia is a committed staff member at the Co-op store on Argyll Road, which is also where she collects much of her donations. Daughter Leah has also set up a JustGiving page.
Celia believes the total could reach £2000 and thanked those who have donated in times when money is tight.
“Everyone who has donated has been so generous and lovely,” she said.
“I am still talking about it today. One woman came up to me and said it had inspired her to do it. It is the best experience.
“You can sit back and watch life go by or surprise yourself and try something new.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
