Fearless 90-year-old Romford nan skydives from 12,000ft

A fearless nan said she was “thrilled” to undertake her second skydive just weeks after her 90th birthday.

Hilary Oxley, who has lived in Romford for 58 years, jumped from 12,000 feet last Sunday (August 6) with granddaughters Stephanie Russell and Daisy Higgs.

This was her second skydive in a decade after the Recorder reported her first with Stephanie on October 11, 2013.

They arrived at 8.15am at Skydive Headcorn in Kent, but wind delayed their ascent by eight hours.

It was around 4.15pm when Hilary made the jump, after inital problems getting on the plane due to bleeding from her legs.

But she was glad to have done it, she said.

“It was absolutely brilliant – I’m so thrilled. Never in a million years when I did it when I was 80 did I think I would be here 10 years later.”

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Hilary was given the surprise birthday present by her family just weeks before on July 22, a day she also won a holiday to Marbella from a scratch card.

“I was so emotional with it all and of course I had my skydive.”

L-R: Stephanie Russell, Hilary Oxley and Daisy Higgs (Image: Skydive Headcorn)

Stephanie, 41 and Daisy, 29, were both nervous before the jump but Hilary said she was calm.

The 90-year-old, the first to jump, said staff at Headcorn could not believe how relaxed she was.

“You only live once,” she said. “The experience is lovely – sometimes when I go shopping I’m more nervous doing that.”

For Hilary, jumping out of a plane was less of an ordeal than boarding it, much less navigating a busy supermarket.

“It was easier me coming out of a plane then it was getting on,” she said.

“I’m still shopping and I think – what do I want? That’s more of an ordeal for me than what I’ve done.”

Stephanie, who lives in Harold Wood, said it was a prized family moment.

“It’s amazing for me and my sister, to share that memory with my nan is incredible,” she said.

Hilary said it was a pleasure to catch a glimpse of Romford and the Thames on the way down.

Two skydives were enough, she said, but Hilary would not rule out another flying escapade when she turns 95.