18th July 2006
To commemorate the start of her 9th decade on the planet, 89-year-old grandmother from Surrey, Mary Armstrong, will be jumping for joy – quite literally - by doing a sponsored parachute jump in aid of the Brooke, the UK’s leading charity for the welfare of working horses and donkeys overseas.
Mary, who is affectionately known as ‘the recycled teenager’ by her friends and family, will be doing a tandem parachute jump from 12,000 ft at Headcorn Airfield, in Headcorn, Kent, on August 7th, three days after her 90th birthday.
All the money raised from this activity will help the Brooke’s network of mobile veterinary teams reach hundreds of thousands of working equine animals toiling in some of the toughest environments in the world by providing free veterinary care, and education and training for their poverty-stricken owners.
Mary is no stranger to high-octane adventure, as this will be her third sponsored parachute jump – with her first taking place two years ago at the youthful age of 87!
“This jump is nothing at all,” exclaims Mary. “Not when you think about the wonderful work carried out day in day out by Brooke vets to help poor animals overseas. I am just supporting their cause by jumping for joy to celebrate all they have achieved!”
“As I have everything I need in life I don’t want presents or a party for my 90th birthday, but for people to sponsor my jump or make donations to the Brooke.”
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