94-year-old lives dream to take flight

Renee Bennett, 94, fulfilled her lifelong fantasy of taking a ride in a hot-air balloon. Photo / Supplied

A 94-year-old great grandmother has fulfilled her lifelong dream of riding in a hot-air balloon, thanks to her resthome carers.

Renee Bennett said she was on "top of the world" after her 45-minute trip over Hastings this week. "I wasn't afraid, I was excited. I've never been scared in my life.

"The only problem was trying to get out of the basket. I'm very short so I had to do the splits. It was a long time since I had done the splits."

Renee was born in London in 1917. She was a child star in theatres and worked as a despatch motorbike rider during World War II.

She moved to New Zealand 40 years ago and had twin boys. She has lived at the Gladys Mary Rest Home in Napier for three years and has five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Her dream was made possible through the home's Map of Life project.

Caregiver Lisa Tkaczyk said a committee chose Renee as the first resident to realise their dream and would continue fundraising to help others complete their bucket lists.