A Melksham man who won two gold medals at a trampolining competition at the age of 91 has been named Aldi’s ‘Champion Flipper’ for Pancake Day.
Peter Quinney was invited by the supermarket chain to complete a 360-degree rotation on a six-foot-high trampoline while flipping pancakes. He completed a full somersault, reaching a height of seven feet, before sitting down to enjoy a lemon and sugar-coated pancake.
The challenge took place at Spire Heights Trampoline School, where Peter has been training and coaching for 20 years.
In honour of Peter’s accomplishments and to support his quest to raise money for charity, Aldi has donated funds to the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Peter said, “In all my 91 years, I’ve never received a request quite like this, but when Aldi asked me to be their ‘Champion Flipper’ this Pancake Day, I thought, why not? Flipping a pancake requires a precise combination of landing and skill, much like trampolining, so it feels like the perfect pairing.
“I’m delighted that Aldi has donated money to the Teenage Cancer Trust, and if these flips bring a smile to people’s faces, then even better.”
The opportunity to become Aldi’s ‘Champion Flipper’ came as the former RAF physical training instructor recently captured headlines after winning two gold medals at a trampolining competition at 91, having returned to the sport after more than 40 years away.
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said, “From gold-medal backflips to pancake flips, Peter shows that age is no barrier to having fun. We’re proud to crown Peter our Champion Flipper this Pancake Day and to be donating to the Teenage Cancer Trust to mark his incredible achievements.”
Peter, a former senior gymnastics coach in the Royal Air Force, has won several awards throughout his trampolining career, including the British Championship in 1960 while representing Great Britain.
He was deputy manager at the former Christie Miller Sports Centre between 1975 and 1989 and was part of the team that formed the Christie Miller Gymnastics Club, which later became the Wiltshire School of Gymnastics. He has also coached badminton, squash, hockey and swimming.
Peter hopes to complete 100 backflips for his 100th birthday.
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