RECORD-BREAKING SKYDIVER DIES AT 88
TRIBUTES have been paid to a “truly inspiring” woman who founded a Welsh charity and became a record holder for being the world’s oldest female skydiver.
Dilys Price, a retired teacher from Cardiff, has died at the age of 88.
She became hooked on skydiving at the age of 54 after completing her first jump to raise money for charity. Over the following three decades, she completed 1,139 solo jumps – including one aged 81 in 2013 which saw her become the oldest ever female skydiver.
She was the founder of Touch Trust, a Cardiff charity which offers unique movement education and touch therapy for individuals with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and other vulnerable groups with complex needs.
She was awarded an OBE for services to people with special needs in 2003, and received a lifetime achiever award at the National Diversity Ceremony.
She was also honoured with a Pride of Britain award in 2017, and became the face of fashion brand Helmut Lang when she was 86. Her death was announced on Friday night.
Cardiff Metropolitan University, where Dilys was an Honorary Fellow, said in a statement: “We’re saddened to hear of the passing of Dilys Price.
“An Honorary Fellow and true friend to the university, Dilys was a force for good and an inspiration to us all. We send our condolences to the family.”
Tributes have poured in on social media, with Twitter account Superwoman Network saying: “We have heard sad news that one of our bestloved speakers, Dilys Price, has passed away.
“Founder of Touch Trust, oldest sky diver, joyful and generous. Dilys, we salute you. Nos Da Dilys fach x.”
TV and radio producer and columnist Carolyn Hitt paid tribute on Twitter by saying: “Goodbye Dilys Price, you absolute legend. What an inspiration you were. RIP.”
Motivational speaker Brad Burton said: “Rest in Peace our Dilys. You really did make your difference. You changed the world. You left the world in a better place than you found it.
“When I grow up I want to be just like you. Missing you already kiddo X.”
Mencap Cymru said in a statement: “With joy comes sadness. After congratulating some well deserved recipients of honours this morning, we were saddened to learn of the passing of learning disability campaigner Dilys Price OBE.
“Founder of Touch Trust, a charity supporting people with profound and multiple impairments.
“She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by the Mencap Cymru family in Wales.”
Facebook page, It’s On Cardiff, also paid tribute yesterday: “Very sad to hear the Cardiff skydiving grandmother and founder of the Touch Trust has passed away.
“A truly wonderful and inspirational woman, rest in peace Dilys Price OBE.”
Dilys continued to enjoy solo skydiving up until the age of 86.
Speaking in January 2019, she revealed she was retiring from her favourite hobby – but that she still intended to jump as part of a tandem.
“I sold my parachute and I’m only going to do tandem jumps,” she said.
“I’m 86 now and felt I should probably not be jumping out of a plane at 100mph.”