Express reporter's terrifying cliff challenge

WHEN you are tied to railings leaning back over a sheer drop there are a few things that go through your mind.

One is 'how strong is this puny looking rope I'm holding?' another, 'why, and how exactly, did I get myself into this?'

But the overriding emotion is 'how on earth am I going to get myself out of here?'

I am not proud to admit that the one and only thing that stopped me fleeing the Peacehaven abseil site on Sunday was not the money I have raised for charity, it was not thinking of the good cause I was doing it for, it was, in fact, that I was literally tied, with ropes and harnesses to a very secure looking post.

And that is how I found myself trusting a man called Bob as he encouraged me to walk back into what could have been a certain death.

OK, it is virtually unheard of to hear of a person dying during an abseil but quite frankly, when you step off a cliff, that is not that much of a reassurance.

However, I did complete the 80ft abseil on Sunday in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust and for this I am entirely indebted to Bob and the rest of his team.

Their calm encouragement was the only reason I managed to go through with it.

Bob held the harness as I inched myself back down the cliff face and patiently waved away any fears I had.

Despite these guys carrying out abseils of much higher heights than this on a regular basis, they did not make me feel embarrassed for being scared and took nothing away from the sense of accomplishment when I reached the bottom.

The abseil I took part in was organised by the Anthony Nolan Trust, a charity which maintains a record of bone marrow donors and works to encourage people to donate.

Dorothy Jones, the organiser, did a sterling job creating a sense of calm and organisation in the midst of some terrified people.

The team in charge of the ropes were from another charity, Adventure Unlimited.

Based in Brighton, its members aim to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through outdoor adventure and educational events run by previously unemployed adults. This means they have the skills and equipment to help other charities carry out similar events.

Also taking part in the abseil was Brighton councillor Simon Burgess who has raised 175 so far.

To sponsor him visit www.justgiving.com/simonburgesskemptown

Both the Anthony Nolan Trust and Adventure Unlimited run events throughout the year.

So if you fancy taking part in some extreme fun in the name of a good cause or to find out more visit www.anthonynolan.org.uk and http://www.aultd.org

Action Adventure is holding its own abseil at Peacehaven on Sunday (September 16). For more details call 01273 681058. If you would like to sponsor me it is not too late.

Please send any donations to the Sussex Express offices, 25-26, High Street, Lewes, BN7 2LU. All money raised will be passed directly to the Anthony Nolan Trust.