‘Getting over’ our fear of heights and raising money for Disability Challengers

Doug Johnson • 14 July 2022

Raising the bar. Climbing to new heights. Rising to the top. So many idioms in work and life are focused on getting bigger, higher or taller. It works the other way too: being down to earth, or grounded. We’re a little bit of both – we have lofty ambitions, but we are humble too. After all, whatever goes up must come down. So what better way to demonstrate this by facing our collective fear of heights, and abseiling down Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower.

On Saturday 24th September, Doug, Jen, Pablo, Rhiannon and Scott will be ascending the local landmark, climbing into a harness, and lowering themselves 100 metres back down to ground level, no doubt with closed eyes and sweaty palms.

We are doing this to raise money for Disability Challengers, a registered charity. Challengers, who have a care facility here in Farnham, are an incredibly valuable organisation to many families who are looking to provide a safe, caring and educational environment for their children.

“We believe that play is vital for every child’s happiness and development. It’s important for cognitive, physical, social, and mental wellbeing, and helps children to build confidence, self-esteem, creativity and to learn how to interact with others.”

Challengers

As a team, we’re not thrilled by the prospect of this almighty feat, despite the amazing views. Rhiannon speaks for all of us when she says “I am absolutely terrified if I’m honest. But I think it will be an amazing feeling once I’ve completed it, and it will challenge me.” Scott will be glad to be in good company — “I am a sucker for an experience. I’m excited to test myself and having my fellow Meshlings around me fill me with confidence!”

This mad venture is part of our wider efforts to support our local community. It’s been difficult to take part in the physical side of fundraising over the last few years but we are throwing ourselves in headfirst (not literally) and this will be the first of many exciting events where we can not only raise much-needed funds for local charities, but come together as a team and have fun.

Please help us in ‘getting over it’ by contributing to our fundraising efforts via JustGiving. You can give any amount, and everything and anything is greatly appreciated. If you can’t contribute, sharing is caring too!

Let’s make a difference by doing something different.