Abseilers take on Spinnaker Tower to raise money for brain tumour research

15/5/16

Sponsored abseil at the Spinnaker Tower for Brain Tumour Research. L-R Ruth Parke, Debbie Pearce, Stephanie Treadwell and Derek Reynolds

Picture: Paul Jacobs (160253-6) PPP-160515-163523006 — 15/5/16 Sponsored abseil at the Spinnaker Tower for Brain Tumour Research. L-R Ruth Parke, Debbie Pearce, Stephanie Treadwell and Derek Reynolds Picture: Paul Jacobs (160253-6) PPP-160515-163523006

Thirty three people of all ages scaled down the building and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Brain Tumour Research.

The charity, whose flagship centre is at the St Andrew’s Building in the University of Portsmouth, works to raise money to fund research to help combat brain tumours.

The abseilers included Derek Stanley, 69, who lives in Horsham and is a member of Hardway Sailing Club at Gosport.

He lost his daughter, Amanda Jeffes, two years ago. Derek said more money is desperately needed to fund research.

About the abseil, he said: ‘There were three emotions – total fear, exhilaration, and satisfaction when it all ended.

‘I had three grandchildren shouting up at me “Come on grandad” which was encouraging.’

He added: ‘We are so badly underfunded. It will take 100 years for brain tumour research to catch up.’