Abseiling at 80 – Spinnaker Tower Challenge
On Saturday 15th July, 80 year old John D’Arcy from Fishbourne, West Sussex, will be facing the challenge of a lifetime and abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, all in aid of a good cause. He is undertaking this 100 metre descent to raise funds towards our services here at 4Sight Vision Support, a local charity which provides free support and specialist information to blind and sight impaired residents, and their families and carers, throughout West Sussex.
John is both a supporter and client of ours and was inspired to accept the challenge when he was reminded of the charity’s ‘100-4-100’ fundraiser which it ran during 2021-2022, its 100th anniversary year. We invited 100 participants to sign up with the aim of doing 100 of something to each raise £100 – and a 100 metre descent definitely fits the bill!
John, who is partially sighted himself as a result of a stroke, comments,
Earlier this year I was given a Red Letter gift voucher by my son for my 80th birthday and I decided to use it to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower because it looked exciting, and I could also use the experience to fundraise for 4Sight Vision Support. This local charity has been going for 100 years and was very helpful to me but especially my wife Kay, following my stroke and vision loss.
Kirstie Thomas, CEO at 4Sight Vison Support, added,
The extraordinary efforts of people like John help raise the vital funds which allow us continue our work to help people access support and maintain their independence after a sight loss diagnosis. We all wish him well for this wonderful but rather scary challenge!
John’s abseil takes place on Saturday 15th July at 11.30am. John has already raised nearly £400, if you’d like to donate in support, please visit his Just Giving page:
If you would like to donate over the phone, or have been inspired by John’s story and would like to take on your own challenge:
Call our fundraising team on 01243 838001 or email: fundraising@4sight.org.uk
