Chron reporter to join council in abseiling down Northampton's tallest structure

On Saturday, councillors and council officers will join a set of volunteers in descending the Northampton monument to raise money for the Northampton Guide Dogs charity.

The event is being organised by Mayor of Northampton, Councillor Christopher Malpas, who is a guide dog user himself.

The National Lift Tower - or the National Abseil Centre as it is now known - is the tallest permanent abseil tower in the world.

The participants will descend one after the other from 12pm onwards and despite a collaborative effort, there’s also some fierce competition between each participant to see who can raise the most money.

Councillor Anna King, cabinet member for community engagement, is taking part and said: “What started out as a suggestion of how to raise money became an invitation to participate and make the descent down the tower myself.

“Now that I’m involved, I’m really determined to raise as much money as I can.

“I’m feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement at the moment but it feels good to know that all the money raised by myself and the others will help make a real difference to Northampton Guide Dogs, which is the Mayor’s charity of choice.”

Chron reporter Callum Jones is also part of the team, though he said: “I’m feeling a bit nervous at the moment thinking about that moment when I will have to step off the top of the lift tower.

“But it is for a great cause and it will feel like a real accomplishment to say I’ve abseiled down the tallest structure in the town.”

Councillor King is fundraising on JustGiving, if you would like to make a donation via: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/anna-king10

And you can donate to Callum via: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Callum-Jones10

Northampton Guide Dog volunteers, owners and puppy walkers will be present to cheer the team on as well as the mayor and mayoress.