A CRICKHOWELL pensioner has said she took part in a skydive organised for BBC Sports Relief to show “that you can still be active no matter what your age is”.

Margaret Lloyd, who is 72, took part in the tandem skydive at Swansea Airport.

It was screened on BBC Wales on Wednesday, March 21 as part of ‘Gareth Thomas’ Silver Skydivers for Sports Relief’.

The skydive, was originally scheduled to be filmed on Monday, March 5 but because of the snow brought in by the Beast from the East it was postponed to Friday, March 9.

Margaret said she “involuntarily volunteered” to take part after the production company making the programme for BBC Wales approached Brecon U3A, a group she has been a member of for 10 years, in January.

Margaret, who has two children and four grandchildren, said the production company was looking for volunteers aged over 60.

Margaret said: “Before I knew what was happening my hand was in the air. This was not something I had ever thought of doing, but once I had involuntarily volunteered I was hooked on the idea.”

After meeting Dilys Price OBE, an 85-year-old from Swansea who holds the world record for being the oldest skydiver, and former Wales rugby international Gareth Thomas, she said she was given a folder offering advice about fundraising and sent away with some sponsorship forms.

On the day of the jump itself, Maragret said: “At 7am we arrived at Skydive Swansea to be met by a flurry of activity. Bad weather was forecast for later in the day, and as 18 of us were skydiving in five groups, there was no time to be wasted.

“We were introduced to the instructor who was to be our tandem partner, quickly donned the jumpsuit and harness, and practised our exit and landing positions.

“We were provided with a rather inelegant soft helmet, some gloves and a snood for warmth. It was going to be cold at 12,000 feet!

“With little time to think I was on my way out to the aircraft. The instructor was able to tell me the colour of our parachute, so that my ‘support team’ would know which dot in the sky to cheer.

“There were four of us on this flight, together with a professional photographer with cameras on his helmet. We sat on the metal floor of the aircraft next to the roller (shutter type) door.

“As we moved along the runway it felt as if I could put out my hand to touch the concrete rushing by.

“Very shortly we were airborne and climbing steeply to attain dive height.

“Almost immediately it was my turn. We sat in the doorway of the aircraft, and momentarily it felt as if the whole of the Gower peninsula was in view.

“Then we were out. We had been told that the 6,000ft freefall would take about 45 seconds, but it was over in what seemed like a few seconds.

“Then a sudden jerk as the parachute was deployed; now I had time to take in the magnificent view, and feel the joy and freedom of gradually descending through the air. Suddenly the ground seemed very close, and on a signal from the instructor I adopted the landing position. Then we were down. It was over, much too quickly. I would happily have gone straight back up again, but of course that was not possible.

“I was so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to take part in this amazing activity, and to raise funds for such a good cause.”

Margaret, who said she “gained three more children and six more grandchildren” when she got married for a second time, said: “The whole point of ‘Silver Skydivers’ was to show that you can still be active no matter what your age. I am 72, but many of the participants were older than me, and all were over 60.”

Margaret, who was born and brought up in Pembrokeshire, said she spent most of her life working in education, with her last role being as a Quality Assurance Officer in Merthyr Tydfil. 

She said joining Brecon U3A was one of the first things she did when she retired.

“Joining U3A was an inspired idea,” she added. “I would urge anyone over 50 to get involved. My main interests there are science, natural history and archaeology.”

Margaret said she has written a full version of her skydiving experience for the Brecon U3A inhouse publication ‘Phoenix’.

At the end of her piece for ‘Phoenix’, Margaret writes: “If you see someone walking down the street with a silly grin on their face – it’s probably me reliving the experience.”

Another Brecon U3A member, Chris Kamutikaoma, also took part in the ‘Silver Skydivers’ programme.

Brecon U3A regularly holds meetings at Theatr Brycheiniog and details of their special interest groups and activities can be found at www.u3asites.org.uk/Brecon.