SOMERSET NEWS: Daring abseilers raise cash for charity

AROUND £10,000 was raised for three great charities last week after nearly 100 people abseiled down one of the tallest buildings in Taunton.

A total of 93 people from Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council, FLAG (Flooding on the Levels Actions Group), Clarke Willmott Clarke and other local businesses abseiled down the seven-storey high C-Block at County Hall.

The funds raised will be divided equally between Somerset Community Foundation, an organisation that helps flood victims, and Somerset County Council’s chairman’s charities - the National Autistic Society and Somerset Trust for Arts & Recreation (STAR), a charity which provides those little extras for disadvantaged Somerset children.

PHOTO – TOP: Among those taking part was the Deputy Mayor of Ilminster, Cllr Linda Vijeh, who is also a member of South Somerset District Council and Somerset County Council. She decided to do the abseil in fancy dress.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Down comes Cllr Linda Vijeh.

Council chairman, Cllr David Fothergill, said: “I want to thank everyone who took part. I know for many, they faced their greatest fear abseiling down County Hall whilst raising funds for three good causes.

“I also want to thank the Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service who expertly ran the abseil and helped all 93 abseilers achieve their goal.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Trevor Stratford, from the Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: “We were very pleased to help with such worthwhile causes including the National Autistic Society, STAR and Somerset Community Foundation.

“Our crews were involved throughout the flooding period and saw at first hand the impact it had on the communities involved.

“We hope this event will help in a small way towards the efforts to get their homes back to normal as well as help disadvantaged Somerset children and people with autism.”

To donate, please click on justgiving.com/company/somersetcountycouncil or contact Lindsey Tawse on 01823-356859 or email  LTawse@somerset.gov.uk.

PHOTO – ABOVE: Cllr Linda Vijeh, second left, with (from left) Helen Bown from STAR, Somerset County Council chairman Cllr David Fothergill, Eric Kent from the Autistic Society, and Cllr Mark Healey.

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