Portland gran joins grandson for joint birthday skydive

Margaret Stone and her grandson Daniel Brown - both from Portland - skydived 10,000 feet to celebrate their 70th and 18th birthdays respectively.

The daring duo have their birthdays on the same day, May 23.

When Daniel said he wanted to do a skydive before turning 18, and invited his nan to join him, he was surprised when she accepted his invitation.

Daniel, who recently completed college and will soon attend university in Portsmouth, said: "Normally (for the joint birthday) it is just a family meal. We don't normally jump out of a plane.

"It was something I wanted to do before turning 18. I suggested it in January and I was very surprised when she agreed to do it with me. 

"It was amazing, I absolutely loved it. She (Margaret) also really loved it. It has been an incredible experience."

Daniel on his skydive (Image: Paula Brown)

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The skydive itself took place at the Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury. The family joined the duo including Margaret's brother who travelled from Kent as a surprise.

There had been some worry that they may need to reschedule due to the weather, but they took a chance and headed to the airfield anyway - which paid off.

Margaret on her skydive (Image: Paula Brown)

For Margaret, a retired carer who does a paper round, this was an opportunity to make a memory with her grandson before he went off to university. She said: "The whole idea of the dive was to do something together as a special celebration.

"It was Daniel's idea. I asked what he would like to do and he said 'I would like to do a skydive nan'.

"It was a real joy to do with Daniel and something we will both remember. I felt really proud to be able to do it. You do feel a sense of achievement, you think 'Blimey, I can't believe I have done it.'

"It was absolutely amazing. I would do it again. We organised it too late to do it for charity, but if somebody wanted us to (fundraise) we would do it again."

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Margaret Stone and Daniel Brown (Image: Paula Brown)