Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Living the high Life
Exclusive
A fearless 90-year-old celebrated her landmark birthday in style as she threw herself out of a plane at 12,000ft.
Inspirational Margaret O’neill, a soon- to- be greatgrandmother, says that falling through the air at 125mph was “relaxing”.
There was more to the skydive than just the thrill of the jump, however, with Margaret raising more than £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of her childhood sweetheart and beloved husband Eddie.
Scottish-born Margaret, who spent many years in Faversham before moving to Chartham Hatch, said: “My husband died about 15 years ago and in the last few weeks of his life, the Macmillan nurses would come in at any time of the day or night when he needed them. They are fantastic.
“I always knew that I wanted to give something back, but you know, life happens, and it has taken me until my 90th birthday to actually do something.
“I decided that this year I didn’t want a party, I’d do a skydive for Macmillan instead.”
Former singer Margaret, who has two children and three grandchildren, headed to the Kent Skydiving Centre in Headcorn on Sunday where she was met by cheers from family and friends as she plummeted to the ground.
She added: “As I sat in the window of the plane I thought ‘oh my goodness’ and then I just burst out laughing.
“As soon as you leave the plane, there is the force of wind in your face.
“I thought to myself ‘just breathe in and breathe out’. I didn’t feel much emotion, but it was so relaxing.
“I was flying and I wanted to stay up there longer.”
Granddaughter Katie Woods, from Faversham, said: “It came as quite a shock at first when my mum told me that’s what she wanted to do for her 90th birthday, but when I found out she was doing it all in aid of Macmillan it made perfect sense.
“We lost our granddad to cancer quite a few years ago and he really was the love of her life.
“The day of my nan’s skydive was so inspiring and it really does go to show that whatever your age or circumstance, anything is possible.
“I couldn’t be more proud of her.”