SHE'S played tennis most of her life, took up golf in her fifties and hillwalking in her sixties. But just when most septuagenarians would be thinking of leading the quiet life, Sheila Wylie is gearing up for one of her biggest challenges.
For she is to become the oldest participant in Edinburgh's MoonWalk for charity next month at the age of 79.
"I thought, it's my 80th birthday this year, so let's do something different," she said. "I may be nearly 80 but I'm in reasonable health,
so why not."
At midnight on June 14, about 12,000 walkers will take part in the MoonWalk Power Walking challenge. The event, of which Scotland on Sunday is proud to be the media partner, has already produced millions of pounds for cancer charities.
Sheila will be among those tackling the 13-mile half-marathon distance at the same time as others attempt the full 26-mile route, along with two of her four daughters, a son-in-law and a 15-year-old grandson. "We are calling ourselves the Generations team and we are all looking forward to it," she said. "Two other grandsons also wanted to do it but one has hurt his leg skiing and the other has an exam on the Monday. I didn't think it was right that he should be up all night and tired out
Sheila, who lives in the city's Dean Village, has tried to maintain her fitness levels all her life. She trained as a gym teacher as a young girl in the 1930s and gave up her career when she married.
But she continued with her favourite game, tennis. After her children had grown up and moved away from the family home, she decided to take up golf. She still plays at Ravelston Golf Club in Edinburgh.
In her sixties, she decided to try hillwalking and joined the Edinburgh-based All Year Ramblers club for company. She still goes out on regular excursions.
For the MoonWalk, she has already been out training and plans two more walks of 11 and nine miles to limber up. "The MoonWalk is only two more miles, so it should be manageable," she said. "We expect to do it in around four and a half to five hours."
She has already raised £1,000 in sponsorship. "It really is a good cause," she said. "Everyone knows someone who has suffered from cancer."
Sally Orr, the Edinburgh MoonWalk's spokeswoman, confirmed Sheila was the oldest fundraiser to take part. "She's amazing," Orr said. "An inspiration to us all."
The bulk of the money raised in Scotland will go towards a new Maggie's Centre at the Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow.
