But for Islander Jean McLaughlin that is only one of the many challenges that she has set for herself this year.
To celebrate the milestone that is turning 80, Mrs McLaughlin decided to do 80 things she has never done before. And she is well on her way to hitting that target, having already abseiled down the side of Mont Orgueil, been driven around the Island in a vintage Rolls-Royce and taken part in a Christmas Day swim.
They are only three of the 33 challenges Mrs McLaughlin, the founder of the Jersey Evacuees Association, has completed so far.
Her next challenge, a sky dive, is set for tomorrow afternoon, and she is raring to go and will not let her vertigo stop her.
‘I hate heights, but I thought: “It’s a challenge, so I’ll do it!”’
Describing her upcoming abseil down the castle, she said: ‘On the way down, all my family were shouting, “Come on, super-gran, you can do it!” And it was over before I knew it.’
On top of doing the challenges for herself, Mrs McLaughlin, who in 2016 was presented with the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for services to the recognition of evacuees, is also raising money for the Jersey Alzheimer’s Association. Her husband Robert, who suffered from the illness and who she had looked after, died three years ago.
Earlier this year, her mission was momentarily put on hold after her daughter Karryna was diagnosed with cancer in February. However, she has responded well to treatment and Mrs McLaughlin has set out to complete her challenges once more.
She now plans to dedicate the money raised from the second half of her challenges to a cancer charity. While she has yet to count the donations she has received, waiting until after she has passed the halfway mark, Mrs McLaughlin said she hoped to have a raised £1,000 for her chosen charities so far.
For future challenges she is planning to try even more new things, like milking a cow, archery, ice-skating, and riding in a helicopter. She is also trying to arrange for a large group to cycle down the runway at the Airport.
To donate to Mrs McLaughlin’s cause ring her on 721171, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jean-mclaughlin80 or donate directly at jerseyalzheimers.com
