PICTURES: 92-year-old woman jumps from plane in Offaly all in aid of charity

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At 92 years young, Kay Sinclair daringly took to the skies at the Irish Parachute Club at Clonbullogue Airfield in Offaly and took a 15,000ft plunge for charity on Sunday.

Supported by an army of well-wishers, from her native Kilkenny - Kay is a Gaffney originally from Reimeen, Tullaroan - and adopted home of Donegal Town, Kay took everything in her stride and enjoyed the experience, with the moment captured on video by the Irish Parachute Club.

She did it in memory of her son Michael, whose anniversary fell on Saturday, July 20, to raise money for the Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland (YSPI). And although high winds forced a postponement till the following morning, Kay buckled up alongside her tandem, Vinny Howard from Clare, who was decked in his county jersey ahead of the All-Ireland hurling final.

Kay knows a thing or two about hurling, camogie and football. She is related to Kilkenny families, the Langtons, Gaffneys and Walshs, who have played All-Ireland level camogie and hurling and is the grand aunt of Tommy, Shane, Miriam and Grace Walsh from Tullaroan. Kay's late sister Peg from Tullaroan was their grandmother. Kay's son Kevin is the manager of Four Masters in Donegal Town, a place where Kay laughs as she describes herself as a "blow-in 60 years later!".

“The reason I decided to do the skydive was because of the date it fell, Michael’s anniversary. Thirty-seven years,” Kay said. “I originally thought it would be at Donegal Airport in Carrickfinn, but no, so off I went to Offaly. It added to things though as I have so many family members not far from there, who could come and watch.

“Having not been able to go on Saturday there must have been 50 of us in the house on Saturday night and then once I got the call on Sunday, away we went. There were plenty of Donegal and Kilkenny flags. They were a great support

“Everyone who worked there was very helpful. They were brilliant. I was very settled and calm and I felt as though Michael was with me. So up we went, it was misty, and up, up, up and up above the clouds. You’re there and the hatch is open and you’re looking out with your legs dangling. And away you go …

“I knew that I would fall like a stone first and then, after the pull of the cord, there would be calm and there was. We came down and could see the fields and everyone watching and we twirled around so we would land near them. We landed safe and sound. It was a great experience and a great day but I’ve been told that I’ve to play chess from now on!”