Charity Abseilers Return For The Big One Challenge!

Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s most iconic ride will once again play host to a stunning spectacle on Monday 8^th June as groups of brave fundraisers will abseil from the top of the 235ft Big One!

While it is most recognised as the UK’s tallest roller coaster, on Monday 8^th June around 40 people will be descending the 235ft steel structure while raising thousands for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

WW2 and Afghanistan veterans, serving soldiers and even a Chelsea pensioner, will harness up and climb to the summit of the Big One before abseiling to the bottom of the massive roller coaster.

The event, which is now in it’s third year, has seen dozens of daring participants take part and raise thousands of pounds for this extremely worthy cause.

Amongst those taking part in the event are Major Kierstead of the Royal Lancers, a unit recently formed as a result of an amalgamation between the Queen’s Royal Lancers and the 9th/12th Royal Lancers and Andy Garthwaite, who also served with same unit, until he sustained serious injuries in Afghanistan and subsequently became a beneficiary of the charity, together with Steve “Tankie” Allen, a 72 year old Chelsea Pensioner and 90-year-old Normandy veteran Harold Addie from Manchester.

ABF The Soldier’s Charity has given lifetime support to serving and retired soldiers and their families for almost 70 years. It is hoped the Big One Charity Abseil will raise thousands of pounds through sponsorship from fundraising abseilers.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Managing Director, Amanda Thompson OBE, said: “We are delighted to welcome back the ABF and all the participants for what is now the third year of the Big One Abseil.  We hope that everyone has a fantastic day and that the event raises lots of money for such a worthy cause.”

The event is being made possible with the support of Yamba UK, a Lancashire-based company who are setting up the abseil by installing the ropes, providing training and undertaking supervision.

Colonel Philip Naylor OBE, Regional Director of North West ABF The Soldiers’ Charity said “We are really grateful to Blackpool Pleasure Beach for giving us this tremendous fundraising opportunity.  It is the third year we have been here and so far dozens of brave fundraisers have raised thousands of pounds for the charity.  I am sure the 2015 abseil will be every bit as successful and exciting”

Andy Garthwaite comments, “‘I’ve done an abseil before but that time it was with two arms so I’m quite nervous! I plan on taking in the scenery and easing down gently.

‘I’m doing it for a Charity that I absolutely love and so I can give something back. The Soldiers’ Charity is in my blood now; I don’t think twice about doing things for them. I’m one of the lucky ones who made it back alive but the charity has been such a huge help to me and my family.  I’m doing the abseil to support other soldiers and veterans who have yet to have help but may need it in the years to come’.