If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for someone with a sense of adventure then a charity could have just what you are looking for with a chance to abseil 80 feet from the top of Douglas Lighthouse. The challenge, organised to raise funds for The Children’s Centre, will take place on April 5, 2014, but the charity is selling gift vouchers now for ?99 for anyone who wants to book a place for someone as a last minute Christmas present. All funds raised will go towards The Children’s Centre’s work with families and children across the Island.
The abseil will see participants descend from the top of the lighthouse after receiving expert instruction and training from The Children’s Centre’s MOBEX outdoor pursuits team. Permission for the event has been granted by the Northern Lighthouse Board and owners of the two cottages at the foot of the lighthouse. The Children’s Centre has organised several abseiling events in recent years to raise funds – including descents from the top of the Strand Shopping Centre, the RBS International building in Douglas, and earlier this year from the top of the Point of Ayre Lighthouse. But Mark Eastham, Fundraising Co-ordinator for The Children’s Centre, says next year’s event will be the first time an abseil has been attempted from Douglas Lighthouse. He said:
“It’s a stunning location and we’re extremely grateful to the Northern Lighthouse Board - and to the owners of the cottages Jim and Maggie Shutler and John and Tina Mather - for allowing us to use such an iconic building. The view from the top is spectacular and it’s bound to appeal to anyone with a sense of adventure, or who just wants to experience abseiling for the first time. Gift vouchers are available for anyone who wants to book an abseil place for a friend or relative and give it as a Christmas present.”
There is no age limit for taking part, but anyone under the age of 16 will need parental consent. Places are limited to 100 participants. If you want to buy a gift voucher for the abseil, or sign up for the event yourself, visit http://www.thechildrenscentre.org.im or call on 676076 or email fundraising@thechildrenscentre.org.im.
Photo - Silvia Kennaugh taking part in The Children’s Centre abseil from the top of the Point of Ayre Lighthouse in April 2013. She was one of 52 fundraisers who took part in the event.
