Thame pupils abseil tower for charity

William Race (left) and Ben Shardlow

ABSEILING down the side of a church tower would be daunting enough for an adult, but for a couple of brave, Year Seven lads from Lord Williams’s school, Thame, such a challenge is one they decided to take on themselves, after learning that the Vicar of their church in Haddenham was planning to do it  herself for charity.

Brave Ben Shardlow, takes a break during his abseil of the St Mary Magdalen church tower in Oxford, to smile for the camera

Ben Shardlow, aged 11, and 12 year-old William Race, who both live in Haddenham, have raised over £700 for the charity, Christian Aid, by abseiling down the tower of St Mary Magdalen church, in Oxford.

A proud Ben said: “At the beginning I felt really anxious about doing it. But once we’d actually started our descent, I felt really happy and the adrenaline rushed in!

“When I’d finished, I felt really happy and proud that I had done it. Our parents and friends all said that they were really pleased and proud of what we’d done. I would definitely do it again!”

The Vicar of the Baptist Church in Haddenham, Amanda Pink, and her friend Mary Miller, together with the money the two boys raised, managed to bring the total raised from the tower abseil to over £2,000. Pledges of support are still coming in and there’s still time to donate. You can add to Amanda and Mary’s fund through their Just Giving website or sponsor William and Ben through their dedicated MoneyGiving website.