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60-year-old Glasgow man to take on Forth Bridge abseil

60-year-old Glasgow man to take on Forth Bridge abseil

Glasgow Times4 days ago
Charles Smith from Glasgow will take on the descent from the top of the Forth Bridge on Sunday, September 28, to raise funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS).
He said: "I had intended to do this a few years ago and raise funds for cystic fibrosis as a couple of my nieces have the condition but unfortunately Covid-19 came along and stopped me doing it.
"So I ended up doing a parachute jump after a while instead.
"I looked for an opportunity to do the abseil again and I noticed it on the CHSS website.
"My father, James, passed away with a heart and stroke condition and a few of my friends have had frights with heart attacks recently and so has my mother, Margaret.
"It seemed quite a relevant charity to support".
Read more: Meet the 63-year-old 'Summer Santa' zip sliding along the Clyde for cancer care
The Forth Bridge abseil, organised by CHSS in partnership with Network Rail and Balfour Beatty, is one of Scotland's most well-known fundraising events.
Previous events held in June and October raised a combined total of more than £390,000 for all participating charities.
Speaking about the upcoming abseil, Charles admitted that despite having previous experience he still feels apprehensive about the event.
He said: "I've done a wee bit before but I will still be nervous hanging over the edge.
"I do like doing adventurous things though.
"I was up the top of the Forth Road Bridge for its 60th anniversary so I'm making my way across the bridges.
"It was a cracking experience and I'm looking forward to this one as well."
To support Charle's fundraiser, visit justgiving.com/page/charles-frb.
Read more: Juno the dog set to join Beatson 10k event - here is why
CHSS aims to support 175,000 people across Scotland living with chest, heart, and stroke conditions by 2028.
Stephanie Wilks, community, events and corporate fundraiser at CHSS, said: "We thank Charles for his participation in the 2025 Forth Bridge Abseil and wish him all the best in his fundraising and on the day.
"Every pound raised through fundraising helps CHSS to support the one in five people in Scotland who are living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live life to the full.
'It helps us to provide advice and support through our free Advice Line service, stroke nurses, online health information, support groups, supported self management courses and much more.'
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