Who needs a silly cake to celebrate your birthday when you are achieving a Guinness World Record?
At 105 years old, great grandfather Jack Reynolds from Chesterfield, England is living his life to the fullest — achieving goals at his ripe old age — and showing no signs of stopping. After already setting one accomplishment in the Guinness World Records — for his birthday last year — he just got right back out there and set another one.
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His first record was set at the tender age of 104 last April 6 when he became the oldest person on record to receive their first tattoo. Reynolds had “Jacko 6.4.1912″ tattooed on his upper arm at local parlor Pete Who’s.
To celebrate his birthday this year on April 6, Reynolds sported a jacket that read, “It’s my birthday and I’ll scream if I want to.”
He was screaming around the Twistosaurus track at the Flamingo Land theme park in Malton, England to receive a a new world record for the oldest person to ride a non-inversion rollercoaster.
It was captured live by ITV’s morning program Good Morning, Britain.
Before the ride began, Reynolds told the ITV reporter, “I’m frightened to death!”
Joined by his daughter Jayne and Dr. Hilary Jones — for precautionary measures — the doctor said, “You’ve got some G forces on the ride, it is a rollercoaster and these can play with your blood pressure and your heart rate a little bit. Dizziness can be an issue. But listen, when you’re 105, you want to have fun.”
Reynolds — who also bears the distinguished honor as one of the oldest living residents in Derbyshire — told The Derbyshire Times he’d never been on a rollercoaster before, but rather the calmer Helter Skelter Ride which is a slide that just goes round and round.
“I went on a Helter Skelter at a fairground about 80 or 90 years ago,” he said.
After grabbing his daughter’s hand and the doctor giving the thumbs up, the ride slowly began it’s whirling and dropping course.
“I was amazed. I was really amazed,” he said. “I expected it to just go round and round like that quietly like the old cranky ones from 80 years ago. And it was, ‘wooh wooh’!”
Reynolds had so much fun, he was game to go again.
Official Guinness World Records adjudicator Mark McKinley presented Reynolds with a certificate after the ride.
“Jack on behalf of Guinness World Records it gives me great pleasure to be with you on your birthday yet again,” McKinley said. “I wanted to tell you you are officially amazing and the new owner of the oldest person to ride a non-inversion rollercoaster. Congratulations.”
Source: itv.com/screenshot
Guinness World Records posted Reynolds’ newest record-breaking feat on Facebook and it got over 21,000 views.
Reynold’s stunt was also a fundraiser as he raised over $450 for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance.
“On the 6th of April 2017 I will turn 105 years old so I’ve decided instead of sitting back to read my second letter from the queen I’d rather raise a little more money for a well deserved charity and also see if I can gain my second Guinness World Record by attempting to be the oldest person to ride a roller coaster,” Jack Reynolds wrote on the JustGiving page set up by his grandson Shane Spencer. “All proceeds will go to helping fund our local air ambulance as they do such a great job and require as much money to run as possible. They are Life Savers & Every Penny Helps.”
Giving the secret to his long and happy life, Jack Reynolds told the Derbyshire Times, “Work hard, always smile, get plenty of fresh air and last but not least have a tot of Grouse whisky in your tea in the morning and a tot before bed.”
It seems after every challenge, Jack Reynolds rewards himself with a shot of whiskey. This time was certainly no exception.
