Gean sticks her oar in for birthday

Published on Friday 22 January 2010 08:47

MOST 90-year-olds would settle for a lunch party and a special cake to celebrate their birthday.

But grandmother Gean Hodsdon is set to go whitewater rafting – after her doctor refused permission for her to do a parachute jump.

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

Despite walking with two sticks and having two replacement knees, she decided an ordinary birthday party would be "too tame", and signed up for the challenge on 5 March.

She hopes to raise 5,000 to pay for a water pump for a children's summer camp in Moldova. She has travelled to the country several times, seeing at first hand the basic living conditions.

Mrs Hodsdon, who lives in sheltered housing, said: "Originally I wanted to do a parachute jump, but my doctor wouldn't let me as I've had two knees replaced. So I had to find something else. A friend takes me up to the Trossachs sometimes, and I happened to see a notice about whitewater rafting.

"I'm quite looking forward to it now – although I'm not looking forward to putting on a wetsuit!

"I don't feel like I'm 90 although my body does! I thought just having a birthday party would be a bit tame."

Mrs Hodsdon and three friends will take part in the challenge, speeding down a seven-mile white-knuckle route on the River Tay. They will be supervised by a fully qualified team at Dunolly Adventures, who will be taking extra care of the oldest participant they have ever had.

Mrs Hodsdon, who used to work at Edinburgh University's botany department, became involved with the charity 20 years ago, after she moved to Linlithgow. She started by sending shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts to children in Eastern Europe.

In the past 12 years, she has travelled to Romania and Moldova several times, for up to two months at a time. The summer camp gives poor children the chance to visit the countryside and try new activities.

She said "There's still a lot of poverty over there. I've been going there for years, but I have a bad back and can't do that any more I've been to the camp and it's pretty basic. They need a pump for water, as they have to rely on a tanker which comes twice a week now."

She has already raised 220 towards her target. To support Mrs Hodsdon, visit www.just giving.com/Gean-Hodsdon. Sponsorship forms are also available in local shops, the library, and St Michael's church.