Fundraising abseil ropes in support for Change Step
DAREDEVIL ABSEILERS who dangled from a rope on Llandudno’s Great Orme have raised more than £1,600 for veterans mentoring project Change Step.
More than a dozen intrepid adventurers – including 82-year-old Keith Jones and 79-year-old Lawrence Clayton – each took on the descent of a 65-foot rockface above the waves of the Irish Sea.
Brave participants harnessed up under the guidance of event partners at Great Orme Vertical and said they were thrilled to take on the challenge.
It’s thought the total raised could climb towards £3,000, with pledges still being collected from donors.
‘Just smashing’
Former Royal Marines Commando Keith, from Llandudno, has benefitted from Change Step’s Aged Veterans project, which offers dedicated support for ex-service personnel aged 65 or over and their families across Conwy and Denbighshire.
He said he found he hadn’t forgotten his training when he stepped over the edge.
It was just smashing, great – it just came back to me naturally again. The only thing that was different was the equipment.
Back when I was in the Marines, it was just a piece of rope you had – so it was a lot safer with the all the modern equipment they have these days!
Change Step worked with qualified instructors at Great Orme Vertical and staff at the Rest and Be Thankful café to deliver the fundraising event, which was suitable for both experienced abseilers and complete beginners.
Gusto
Project director Geraint Jones said he was delighted by the gusto with which everyone took on the challenge.
I’d like to thank everyone who helped to make this wonderful event possible, our brave abseilers, and everyone who made a donation in support of them. There was a really great atmosphere on the day, and I couldn’t have been more impressed with the camaraderie and great spirit of all our participants.
We are yet to calculate a final total, but have already reached an impressive £1,600 — and counting. All the money raised will go to support the vital and effective peer mentoring service delivered by Change Step throughout Wales.
Since its launch in 2014, Change Step has supported more than 1,700 veterans and their families. In total, veterans supported by the project have given more than 10,000 years’ service to the UK Armed Forces.
Backed by the Royal British Legion’s Aged Veterans Fund and delivered in partnership with Age Connects North Wales Central and mental health charity Hafal, Change Step Aged Veterans supports older military veterans through events and activities, one-to-one support, telephone and community befriending, digital inclusion training and much more.
Donations can will be accepted until November 12 and can be made by clicking here.
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