Gene, 90, is oldest adventurer on raft rapids

Published on Saturday 6 March 2010 10:18

A 90-YEAR-OLD grandmother who celebrated her birthday by going whitewater rafting has called her adventure "great fun".

Daredevil pensioner Gene Hodsdon, from Linlithgow, was determined to do something to support Blythwood Care, a charity that helps poor families in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.

And after doctors ruled out a parachute jump, Gene – who walks with the aid of two sticks and has two replacement knees – headed to the river.

Speaking after her adventure down Aberfeldy's meanest torrents, she said: "Someone said I was just going to be going across the river but I made sure we went down some of the rapids. It was great fun and an eye-opener."

She thanked staff at Dunolly Adventures for making her adventure possible, adding: "I want to thank everyone who has donated money, my friends for taking me here and the staff. They got me in and out of the boat without getting too wet so I'm happy – falling in wouldn't have been nice.

"There is still ice on parts of the river so I'm sure it would have been pretty cold."

Mrs Hodsdon, who lives in sheltered housing, hopes to raise 5,000 to pay for a water pump at a children's summer camp in Moldova.