Fundraisers in Stroud abseil down 40ft drop for charity

The group of adventurers descended the Ecotricity building for four charities: Allsorts, National Star, the MS Society and Crossroads Care.

Among those raising money for National Star was 11-year-old Keira Hynes, from Nailsworth, who convinced her friend Robyn Brown, also 11, to come along.

Keira smashed her £150 target and has so far raised £365.

“It was just awesome,” she said. “The best bit was when you first went over the edge.”

“It was harder than I thought,” said Robyn, from Ebley. “But once you were up there, there was no turning back.”

Archway School pupil Seren Levay conquered her fears of heights and raised more than £700 for Allsorts.

The 11-year-old joined 23 others who raised money for Allsorts which supports families across Gloucestershire who have children with disabilities or additional needs.

Though she admitted that she didn’t think she could do it at the last minute, Seren pulled through.

“The hardest bit is going over the side of the building,” she said. “Then I decided I just had to go for it.”

Stroud mayor Kevin Cranston, who suffers from vertigo, and fellow councillor Camilla Hale, who is scared of heights, both took the plunge.

“Once I got over the edge it was great,” said cllr Cranston. “My knees were really wobbly and it’s a wonder no one heard them knocking.”