10:19am Saturday 31st July 2010
By Matt Smith
HE’S conquered Africa’s tallest mountain, trekked the Inca Trail, and walked across the Sahara Desert.
Now Southampton’s daredevil council leader will hurl himself off the city’s second tallest building – in the name of charity.
Councillor Royston Smith, 45, will join 40 people to abseil down the 230ft high Canberra Towers in Weston in support of the Jubilee sailing Trust.
The former RAF engineer who raised thousands for sick and wounded troops by reaching the summit of Kenya’s Mount Kilimanjaro earlier this year, said: “The Jubilee Sailing Trust is a remarkable Southampton-based charity that enables people of all physical abilities to sail side-by-side as equals.
“This abseil event will not only raise awareness about the great work that the charity does, but it will also help raise funds and challenge those abseiling for the first time to conquer their fears and gain a sense of personal achievement.
“I am proud to be part of this experience and hope my support helps raise awareness of the charity’s work.”
The married father-of-one was made leader of the council earlier this month after 80-year-old Alec Samuels stood down.
Tory Cllr Smith says he believes that lives can be changed by taking positive action and leading from the front and hopes to inspire many more people to take part in future abseils for the charity.
The sailing trust owns and operates the Lord Nelson and Tenacious tall ships which enable people of all physical abilities to sail side-by-side as equals.
Matt Gravelling from the trust said: “We regularly arrange hair-raising events, but it is the first time that something on this scale has been planned.
“With more than 40 |abseilers and many |well-wishers it’s bound to be a great event for all the family and we’re delighted that Cllr Smith has chosen to show his support to a charity that has been at the heart of Southampton since 1978.”
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