Hill’s angel! Joan, 103, climbs steep slope for charity
PUTTING her best foot forward at the spritely age of 103, Joan Willet has walked 17 miles up and down a steep slope in aid of a good cause.
Joan collected almost £10,000 for the British Heart Foundation with her gutsy schlep every day outside her care home.
The former teacher, who had valve replacement surgery after her second op heart attack at 82, said: “I get a bit frustrated because it takes me longer to do things than it used to. What I used to do in five minutes now takes me half an hour.
Cheered
“A lot of this is due to the British Heart Foundation – it wasn’t expected that I would live this long.
“But I have to find something to do – I am one of these restless people. I can’t sit still and like to keep going every day because interest in life is absolutely essential.”
Joan, first inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore’s epic walk, was cheered on daily by friend and fellow resident Irene Hodd from the bottom of the hill.
She said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed doing this because it has put me in touch with old pupils who I haven’t heard from for 40 or 50 years and who contributed to the fund.”
The charity champ is now putting her feet up with her favourite newspaper – the Daily Express.
Joan, who grew up reading Rupert Bear, turns straight to the sports pages.
She said: “I am very keen on sport, but I like the whole paper, I really do.”
She will be tearing herself away from our pages to celebrate her 104th on Sunday.
Joan suspects secret plans are afoot to celebrate at the Old Hastings House care home in East Sussex.
She said there will not be any relatives there, explaining: “I have outlived them all.
“But I think the staff here are planning something. I know there is something going on because staff who should be off are coming in.
“I am very suspicious.”