The Rotary Club of South Queensferry has carried out its fourth annual Forth Bridge abseil. The event attracted 179 brave entrants, all prepared to descend 165 ft from the world famous landmark.
For once, the weather was good and the participants abseiled in brilliant sunshine. The Rotary Club of Dunfermline fielded a team of seven Rotarians whose ages totalled 439 years. They were joined by Jim Leishman who was raising money for the Mary Leishman Foundation, a charity set up in memory of his wife who died of cancer.
Jim became probably the first provost in history to do a live interview while sliding down an abseil rope. The event attracted participants from right across Scotland all keen to experience the challenge.
First estimates show that the abseil has grossed well over £25,000, but as entrants were abseiling for several different charities, it will be some time before the full total is known.
The Rotary Club of South Queensferry would like to thank Network Rail for allowing access to the bridge, Glasgow Climbing Centre and Balfour Beatty for handling the technical aspects and safety on the bridge, Queensferry Sea Cadets and Army Cadets for acting as stewards, and everyone who worked hard to make the event a success.
Charities to benefit are: Alzheimer Scotland, Maggie’s Centres, Teenage Cancer Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, St Columba’s Hospice, Queensferry Churches Care in the Community, Radio Lollipop (for Edinburgh Sick Children’s Hospital), Mary Leishman Foundation, Forth Bridge Memorial Arts Trust, Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme and the Forth Road Bridge Abseil.
