Take note, the older generation are putting us to shame
Great Grandmother Georgina Harwood recently celebrated her 100th birthday. An impressive achievement in its own right, yet this didn’t quite satisfy the centenarian’s daredevil nature. The South African decided to mark the event with a skydive, something she first attempted at the age of 92. I don’t know about you, but I believe few things come close in the way of legendary acts. Her “special, exhilarating experience” shows boundless enthusiasm and a real lust for life in her later years, representing an older generation who are becoming increasingly active. It seems our senior citizens are healthier and fitter than ever. The sheer stamina of pensioners like 91 year old Harriette Thompson, who ran the San Diego marathon in record time, puts us to shame. Then there’s 91 year old Eddy Mountford from Wirral, who has run a combined marathon distance of over 780 miles. These may be extraordinary examples, but the older generation are also getting active in their community. Last year in south London a group of over 60s learned how to balance, swing and spin their way around their local area, in an exercise class nicknamed ‘parkour for seniors’. Age was no obstacle for the group, who saw the appeal of using just their body and surroundings to build strength and confidence. Definitely not your average, gentle yoga class. For the 2014 Remember A Charity Week, we shared the lives of three brilliant grandparents who demonstrate remarkable courage, resilience and positivity. The Week showcased the wing walking, high diving and ironman conquering talents of Tom Lackey, David Rice and Eddie Brocklesby, who share a sense of adventure and passion for living life to the full. The inspirational seniors showed that to be a Living Legend, all you need to do is leave a gift to your favourite charity in your Will. So what’s next on the bucket list for Georgina? Cage diving with great white sharks, of course. Find out more about the 2014 Remember A Charity Week here.
