89-Year-Old Joan Livesey to Celebrate 90th Birthday with Zip the Cow Challenge

A remarkable event is set to take place in July, as 89-year-old Joan Livesey from Keighley prepares to take on the thrilling challenge of Zip the Cow. This high-speed zip wire adventure, which allows participants to soar over the stunning Wharfe Valley, will not only celebrate her upcoming 90th birthday but also pay tribute to the family and friends who have received care from the charity Sue Ryder.

Joan's Adventure

Joan has long had the idea of tackling the Zip the Cow challenge on her mind. The conversation that sparked her decision came from her grandson, Kyle, who encouraged her to finally take the plunge. “We were talking about it once and I just said, ‘Oh, I’d like to do that,’” Joan recalled. “It’s something I’ve always fancied, and I thought my chance had gone, but here we are.” Her enthusiasm is infectious, and she hopes her story will motivate others to join in on the fun.

Honouring Loved Ones

This adventure means a lot more to Joan than just a birthday celebration. She wants to honour the memory of her sister and a close friend who were cared for by Sue Ryder Nurses. “The Sue Ryder Nurses were wonderful. You couldn’t have had better care at all,” Joan shared. “It’s always going to be a hard experience, but the team made it as kind and caring as possible. My sister had a brain tumour, and my friend was there too; they were both looked after so well.” This personal connection to Sue Ryder adds an emotional layer to her zip wire challenge.

Facing Fears

Despite never having attempted anything quite as adrenaline-pumping as this before, Joan is surprisingly calm about the whole experience. “People say, ‘Aren’t you frightened?’ but I’m one of those people, if you’ve got to do something, just get on with it and do it,” she explained. “I’m not nervous until people start telling me I should be!” This fearless attitude is something many can admire and perhaps even learn from.

Celebration Plans

Once she completes her zip wire challenge, Joan already has plans for how to celebrate.

“I’ll be looking forward to a drink when I get down; there’s a pub at the bottom!”

“I’m not looking forward to the helmet; they’re not glamorous, not when you get to 90!”

“If I can do it, so can you. Sometimes people just need a bit of encouragement. To anyone thinking about signing up, I say - come on, we’ll go together.”

Support from Sue Ryder

Andrew Wood, a Senior Regional Fundraiser for Sue Ryder, expressed his delight at Joan's decision to take on this challenge.

“We are all absolutely delighted that Joan has chosen to take on Zip the Cow as she celebrates her 90th year. It’s a wonderful thing to do, and her enthusiasm has already brought a smile to everyone here at Sue Ryder.”

He also mentioned that Joan’s story demonstrates that this challenge is suitable for people of all ages, encouraging a wider audience to participate.

Get Involved

Those interested in joining Joan or supporting her can find more details at www.sueryder.org/zipthecow. This year, Sue Ryder is also offering evening sessions for the challenge, allowing participants to choose between daytime or nighttime experiences. Whether it’s daylight or “mooo-nlight,” the organisation hopes to see more people sign up and take part in this exciting event.

Support Joan’s Fundraising

Joan is also raising funds for Sue Ryder through her challenge. Donations can be made via her JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/joan-livesey. Every contribution helps Sue Ryder continue providing vital care and support to those facing terminal illness and grief.

Joan Livesey’s adventurous spirit and commitment to honouring her loved ones through her Zip the Cow challenge is a truly inspiring story. As she prepares for this thrilling ride, her positive outlook and determination serve as a reminder that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing dreams and making a difference.