Woman from Ottershaw to complete ambitious abseiling challenge for 90th birthday

Thelma Forbes is taking on the tower, to raise money for Woking & Sam Beare Hospice.

Thelma Forbes in the gardens at Woking & Sam Beare Hospice
Author: Alex DukePublished 26th Jun 2023

A woman from Surrey is celebrating her 90th birthday next month in a slightly unconventional way.

Thelma Forbes from Ottershaw will be abseiling down the i360 Tower in Brighton.

She's not only doing the challenge to celebrate her birthday, but also to raise money for Woking & Sam Beare Hospice.

The Hospice, based in Goldsworth Park, cares for approximately 2000 patients each year.

This isn't Thelma's first adventurous challenge, having completed a skydive in aid of the Hospice.

"I'm nervously apprehensive but I am also excited."

Thelma said that she's not quite sure what to expect.

"I have never abseiled before and I'm hoping that someone will show me what to do! I presume I just get into a harness and I'm told I lay back, and wait for the first drop.

"Life is a challenge itself, and whatever enjoyment or pleasure you can get out of it, one should seize it."

"I'm nervously apprehensive but I am also excited and quite looking forward to it - I think I'll be glad when it's over though."

Marketing manager at the hospice Sam Wakefield said: "All of the money goes straight back into providing care. 80% of our care is actually out in the community. Here at the hospice we have 20 rooms. We are a charity, we do get some funding but people fundraising for us of providing the cost of the care for our patients."

You can check out Thelma's JustGiving page here

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