101-year-old hopes to become world's oldest skydiver

One of the UK's bravest centenarians is hoping to break the world record for the oldest tandem skydiver.

Great-grandfather Bryson William Verdun Hayes, aged 101, tried skydiving for the first-time last year which earned him the British record for the oldest tandem skydiver. He now hopes to set the world record on 13 May 2017.

Mr Hayes, who lives in Georgeham, North Devon, will take on the 10,000 ft skydive to raise money for the Royal British Legion. He said on his fundraising page: "I have decided to go for the world record for the oldest male tandem skydive and I will also be raising money for the Royal British Legion charity.

"I will be 101 years and 37 days old and the record is currently held by a Canadian gentleman who was 101 years and three days when he jumped. I would like to bring the record back to Britain.

"The Royal British Legion is close to my heart; my father having served in WW1 and myself, brothers and sister in WW2. Any donations would be welcomed."

The current Guinness World Record for the Oldest Tandem Parachute Jump is held by Arman Gendreau, who skydived in 2013.

Mr Hayes is planning to do his jump at Skydive.Buzz in Dunkeswell near Honiton in Devon. He will be aged 101 and 37 days on the day of the event, 34 days older than the current record holder.

He will attempt the feat along with ten other skydivers, including three generations of his family and his doctor.

"Last year was the first time I had skydived and I loved it," he said. "It was wonderful and I felt like I was floating. I would do it again tomorrow."

For many years, Mr Hayes remained keen to skydive but was "always talked out of it" by his family. He said that once he turned 100 he would "make up his own mind."

Mr Hayes served in the army during the Second World War and was a signaller and wireless operator for the Royal Signals.

He returned to Normandy in 2016 as a beneficiary of the Royal British Legion's Remembrance Travel arm.

According to Skydive.Buzz, the centenarian is not the only older person signing up for a parachute jump. There has been an increase in the number of people in their 80's and 90's hoping to achieve their first skydive.

The maximum age for learning to skydive solo in the UK is 55 years (set by the British Parachute Association). There is no maximum age for the tandem skydive, as long as the person is fit and healthy.

A spokesperson for Skydive.Buzz Ltd said: "We think Verdun is an incredible and inspirational man. It's very exciting that he wants to crack the world record. This is Verdun's second skydive with us; his last being just over a year ago.

"On arrival at the Airfield, Verdun will be required to check-in. After his formal safety brief with an instructor he will then be ready to take to the skies. He will meet his instructor who will prepare him for his skydive – fitting the jumpsuit, head gear, goggles, gloves and harness. He will then board the aircraft to ride up to 15,000 ft, taking in the views.

"Once at altitude and we get the green light for 'GO' he will experience the most exhilarating, adrenaline pumping moment of his life...again! As he exits the aircraft he will experience speeds of 120 mph as the adrenaline rushes over him for up to a full minute, free-falling up to two miles.

"As the large canopy unfolds, he will become aware of the sudden tranquillity allowing him to talk with his instructor and take in the beautiful scenery during the parachute ride lasting up to five minutes.

"We are thrilled and excited to be having Verdun skydiving with us once again. It would be tremendous to break another Guinness World Record here."

For more information and to visit the fundraising page go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?faId=813027&userUrl=VerdunHayes&isTeam=false&d-49489-p=1