4 days ago
Centenarian makes splash in pool to celebrate milestone birthday
A 100-year-old woman has made a splash by returning to the pool to celebrate her birthday.
Eileen Burnley, who lives at Ruby Lodge Care Home in Thirsk, had her wish to swim again granted through the home's Make a Wish scheme.
Her dream was made possible with help from Thirsk and Sowerby Leisure Centre, her family, and the care home's wellbeing team.
Morley-born Ms Burnley said: "I never thought when I was teaching all those children to swim years ago, I'd be here at 100, swimming again.
"Can we go to the bigger pool next time?"
Ms Burnley trained as an occupational therapist during the Second World War, helping returning soldiers to regain independence through crafts such as woodwork and basket weaving.
She married in 1950 and raised two sons.
Ms Burnley co-founded a housing association in Leeds, and later managed care properties.
At the age of 94, she was named the British Heart Foundation's Regional Volunteer of the Year.
