Woman, 70, abseils for charity - pensioner scales church walls after toe amputation (From Stroud News and Journal)

Woman, 70, abseils for charity - pensioner scales church walls after toe amputation

A 72-YEAR-OLD woman who scaled the walls of a church just seven weeks after having a toe amputated has received an award from Stroud College.

Mother-of-three Sheila Reubinson, of Bowbridge Lock, Stroud, was 70 when she agreed to abseil down the walls of St Werburgh's Church, Bristol to raise money for St George's Church, Nailsworth.

When she was told seven weeks before the event that she would have to have her toe amputated she didn't think too much of it.

"I thought I would be able to get to the top of the church on some steps or a ladder or something and then abseil down," said Sheila.

"I didn't realise until I turned up on the day that I would have to climb up the outside of the wall first."

Despite her recent operation she somehow managed the climb and the descent and believes it was adrenaline that got her there and the fact that she didn't want to let down her friends and the people who had pledged £800 in sponsorship.

Sheila was widowed six years ago and contracted breast cancer three years later but far from giving up on life she has grasped it by the scruff of the neck.

"Life doesn't come to you, you've got to go out and get it," she said.

The next big hurdle came when one of her three sons gave her a computer.

As she had absolutely no idea how to use the machine she enrolled herself for the Stroud College Nervous Novices computer course and before long was using her new-found skills to e-mail her sons all over the world.

"I enjoyed that so much I did the CLAIT exams next and then decided to take the European Computer Driving Licence.

"When I finish that I will in theory be able to get a job anywhere in Europe. Not that I have time for a job," she added.

Sheila's determination and sense of adventure were recognised when she received the Lifelong Learners award at the Stroud College annual presentation ceremony held at St Laurence Church.

The award was sponsored by the Stroud News & Journal and presented by the editor, Skip Walker.

Sheila plans to spend the winter relatively quietly before embarking on her next charitable adventure, wing walking to raise money for the Stroud family of a young child who has been born without eyes and is deaf.

"I saw a picture of him soon after he was born and he looked so perfect. I thought: 'I've got to do something for that family,' she said.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to this worthwhile cause can do so through Coralie Nurden on 07766 240242.