Dilys Price: The world’s oldest parachutists are dying out
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A woman who became the world’s oldest skydiving player has died at the age of 88.
Former teacher Delice Price, from Cardiff, was afraid of heights when she first hopped into her 50s.
But she went on to complete hundreds of skydiving all over the world, and set a Guinness world record for the oldest solo parachute jump.
She also founded the Touch Trust, a charity that supports programs for the art and creative movement of people with disabilities.
Learning Disabilities in Wales said it has “changed the lives of thousands of people with multiple profound disabilities and people with autism”.
In 2018, Ms. Price told BBC Wales: “Skydiving is my passion, there is the sheer beauty of heaven … You just feel free.”
After exercising when she was 54, she went on to complete more than 1,139 solo jumps worldwide.
She was no ordinary parachutist – with a background in drama and dance, she specialized in aerial acrobatics and freedom.
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Guinness World Records
Dilys Price sets a Guinness world record for oldest single parachute jump
The University of Wales Trinity St David, where she was an Honorary Fellow, said she was a “wonderful, amazing and inspiring” woman.
Mark James Barry tweeted, “So sad that my Aunt DilysPriceOBE has passed away. So many have touched her amazing personality and really lived life to the fullest. An inspiration to everyone. Really grateful that I called her Auntie. We’ll miss you.”
At the age of 80, a former lecturer at Cardiff College of Education set the Guinness World Record for the oldest single parachute jump (for females).
At 86, she sold her parachute, but continued skydiving alongside former Wells rugby star Gareth Thomas.
She was awarded the OBE Medal for Services to the Disabled in 2003, and was honored for her work at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2017.
In 2018, she was included in the list of 100 Women who have influenced Welsh life.
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Back in 2018, Price, who worked as a model for Helmut Lang, said she wanted to inspire seniors to keep them active.
She said, “We have one shot in life.”
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