Incredible centenarian Nora taking on a flying challenge for Brain Tumour Support

6 August 2025 | Fundraising, News, Supporters

At the age of 103, Nora Gilliver is set to become the oldest woman in the UK to embark on a glider experience when she takes a flight at Husbands Bosworth Airfield, Leicestershire, on 14th August.

Nora is a resident at The Lawns Care Home, Oadby, Leicester and when she turned 103 in June this year, she was asked how she would like to celebrate. She said she’d like to go skydiving!

The Lawns’ manager, Marie Welsh, explained ‘Nora said a skydive was something she had always wanted to try, but never got to do it. So we did everything we could to make it happen but, despite our best efforts, in consulting with doctors, it proved just too risky at such a great age.’

With a gliding school not far away, at Husbands Bosworth Airfield, a glider experience seemed a good fit as the next best option and, thanks to the support of the AeroSPARX team based at the airfield, Nora’s challenge became real. The care home team rallied round to raise funds for the flight and alongside a pilot from AeroSPARX, Nora’s set to experience 20-30 minutes soaring above the Leicestershire countryside.

However, Nora was also keen to raise some funds to give something back to the community and, having lost her son to a brain tumour many years ago, Brain Tumour Support is a cause very close to her heart. With her fundraising page set up, she is hoping her flying challenge will raise £800 – to help provide families the wraparound specialist support, which sadly wasn’t available when her son was diagnosed.

Sarah Nelmes, Brain Tumour Support’s Fundraising Co-ordinator, said ‘Everyone here at the charity has been inspired by Nora! Her spirit and energy to take on this challenge is incredible. Now, whenever we face something in the day which is tough, we say to each other “Be more like Nora!” We’re sure she will have the most amazing day, and we really hope she can achieve her fundraising target too. We hugely appreciate every pound raised and would like to thank Nora and the team at The Lawns for supporting us with this fantastic challenge.’

Donations to Nora’s high-flying fundraiser can be made online here.