Visiting Australia, swimming with dolphins, and seeing all eight new Wonders of the World are among the top bucket list goals – for adults aged 55 and over.
Nearly nine in ten mature adults (87%) have a wish list of adventurous activities they still hope to achieve – with seeing a shooting star, and driving along Route 66 in America, also among the top 10.
Travel goals also featured prominently in the top 40 list, as many over-55s dream of flying in First or Business Class, cycling to Paris or through Europe – and even going to space.
But despite having big ambitions, half of the 2,000 adults polled are worried they won't ever achieve many of their life goals.
They put this down to lack of money (43%), their age (36%), and health issues (27%).
The study was commissioned by meal delivery company Wiltshire Farm Foods, which has teamed up with 79-year-old Arlene Phillips to launch the Wishlist Fund.
The initiative allows seniors to apply for the chance to “make their dreams come true” – by crossing off activities from their own wish lists.
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene said: “There is so much to do and see, and it’s about time we all got out there to do it.
“It’s about how you feel inside, not what your age dictates – after all, age is just a number.
“We’re seeing more and more mature adults going above and beyond to achieve the goals they want in life– from skinny dipping, to sky dives, and other crazy activities.
“I’d love to see more people live out their lifelong dreams in their mature years, and embrace the freedom that older age brings. Life is for living, so live it.”
It also emerged nearly three-quarters (72%) believe there is a stereotype around older individuals being less adventurous – but 84% of those are keen to break the stigma.
One in three (32%) want to prove someone their age can still achieve all the things they want, according to the OnePoll data.
And 55% think it’s more impressive seeing someone in their 50s doing something new, compared to those in their 20s.
“Bold age” adventurer, Mercy Baggs, aged 90, from Wiltshire, has jumped out of a plane not once, but twice – and plans to do another once she hits 95.
Mercy said: “When it comes to anything these days I just think, why not? It’s so important to embrace life as you get older, and the freedom that comes with it.
“I could never have done any of my skydives while I was working, and it's only in my mature years that I’ve been able to do whatever I want.
“My children, grandchildren, and husband are always wondering what’s next.”
The Wishlist Fund is open to anyone over the age of 55, and the deadline for applications is Tuesday 25 October.
A spokesman added: “It’s clear those over the age of 55 want to be just as active as the younger generation, and are determined to complete as many life goals as possible before they reach their limit.
“But research showed almost half of the nation don’t feel confident that they will fulfil their bucket list goals – be it because of money, time, or confidence.
“We want to step in and get those lists ticked by facilitating the older generation’s most cherished desires.”
TOP 40 GOALS OVER 55s WANT TO ACHIEVE IN LIFE:
- Visit Australia
- Visit all eight new Wonders of the World
- Fly in First or Business Class
- Swim with dolphins
- Drive along Route 66 in America
- Write a novel
- Go travelling
- Live in another country
- Reunite with a lost best friend
- See a shooting star
- Do a skydive
- Meet a Royal
- Go to space
- Rent a wildly expensive car for an afternoon
- Cycle through Europe
- Walk on the red carpet
- Cage diving with sharks
- Dive to a shipwreck
- Explore an abandoned building
- Sleep in the jungle
- Climb a mountain
- Try surfing
- Stay in VIP camping at Glastonbury
- Go paragliding
- Chase a tornado
- Walk on the wing of a plane
- Get a tattoo
- Go skinny-dipping
- Release an album
- Swim in ice cold water
- Run the London Marathon
- Cycle to Paris
- Go on stage at a music festival
- Ride a motorbike
- Be on a reality TV show
- Run a 10k
- Join a band
- Do a one-armed press-up
- Swim the English Channel
- Hold a venomous snake
