NOTHING could stop a daredevil granny from celebrating her 90th birthday in style as she zipwired 700m above a flooded quarry for charity.

Supergran mum-of-two Verna Hopkins from Lydney was joined in the exhilirating ‘Wire’ descent at Chepstow’s National Diving Centre by daughter Shelley Selfe, 61, and granddaughter Georgie Howells, 32.

“It’s one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done. The view over the lake was amazing,” said Verna, who turned 90 on October 15. “My friends and family were cheering us on, and I had a huge sense of achievement.”

The trio also raised £1,010 for a children’s charity very close to the family’s heart, founded by Verna’s son and daughter-in-law Vance and Heather Hopkins 29 years ago after the tragic loss of their three baby boys Richard, Matthew and James.

The James Hopkins Trust provides support for children under five with life limiting conditions, and is named after their third son who died at 20 months from a rare neuro-muscular disease.

“I wanted to raise some money for the trust, which has a respite home in Gloucester, and decided this was a great way to mark my 90th birthday,” said Verna, who has three surviving grandchildren.

“I guess I’m fairly good for my age, as I dance every week at the Regency Dance Club at Lydney Town Hall and walk a lot. And I’m fine with heights,” added Verna, who ran a store in Harrison Way for many years with late husband Des. “I had to walk up the side of the quarry and climb up the slope to get harnessed up before I was pushed off, and then climb down a step ladder at the end. “My attitude is just keep going. You can do anything if you set your mind to it.”

“But when Georgie suggested we do a sky dive next, I told her my feet are stopping on the ground.”

Son Vance said: “We were all very proud of mum. She is luckily still very active, and we weren’t at all surprised when she decided to do the sponsored zip wire in aid of her grandson’s charity.”Shelley added: “I’m not as adventurous as mum, but felt I couldn't let the side down so had to bite the bullet and do the slide. As she had done the slide previously for another birthday, her wanting to go again but this time for charity didn't come as a surprise.”

Grandaughter Georgie added: “She’s just Ninny to me – she’s always been active, caring and daring, and she’s still going strong at 90.”Verna thanked her sponsers, “especially Marlene and Sarah”, plus Shelley and Georgie for raising funds from sponsors at their Kent and Glasgow homes respectively, and “my lovely family for such a memorable day.” For more information about the James Hopkins Trust, go to www.jameshopkinstrust.org.uk