Head for Heights?

12:26pm Friday 28th March 2008

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Local man Ian Preston is going to brave the elements and put his fears behind him for an extreme fundraising activity.

In May of this year, 53 year old Ian, who also suffers from diabetes, will be abseiling down the 128ft of Peel Tower on Holcombe Hill, near Ramsbottom to raise awareness and money for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

I spoke to Ian this week to ask him about the reasons and perhaps, madness, behind his decision to do this.

He said, "I've always had an affinity for cancer charities: a friend's mother died from leukaemia and I've also had my own personal cancer scare.

"In the past I've made numerous donations to charities but if I gave to every charity I wanted to, I'd be broke!

"I abseiled many years ago when I was in the Air Cadets and I wanted to do it again before I got too old.

"I've read a few things in the Lancashire Telegraph about charity events and I tried to take part in sponsored sky dive a while ago, but unfortunately because of my health I wasn't able to get the medical 'OK'".

Ian hopes to raise at least £500 which will be given to the Anthony Nolan Trust - a charity which helps those who are in need of bone marrow transplants.

He has also set up his own page on a donation website in order to increase the amount of money raised.

Ian will not be alone in his mission - EJ, the evening presenter on local radio station 107 The Bee, has volunteered to join him for the abseil.

Let's hope Ian reaches his target and is able to contribute towards a very worthy cause. He has set up his own page on a donation website, the link for it is listed below.

If you fancy throwing yourself off a big tower and raise some money for charity in the process, click on the link below to download your own entry form and you can join Ian and EJ and probably many others as they take on this exciting vertical challenge!