This is the Chequers building in Maidstone; 110 vertical feet of brickwork with some rather unforgiving tarmac at the bottom. 68 intrepid souls (or loonies if you prefer) agreed to abseil down the side of it in support of three local charities, Demelza House Childrens Hospice, Kent Association for the Blind, and the Kent Air Ambulance.

May 11th 2002 was not the sunniest of days, but at least the threatened rain held off. The first abseilers started their descents at about 10am, and the last at 2pm. We even had some of the spectators 'sponsor' themselves to take the drop.

Ropes, technical expertise, tuition, training (and possibly the occasional gentlemanly 'push start') were provided by the Mile End Climbing Wall Club. Registration staff and groundcrew were all Riversiders.

Many thanks to the management of the Chequers for use of their building, and to Sainsburys for the free coffee.

How well did we do? Abseil down to the bottom of the page, but don't forget to stop and look at the pictures as you go.

A training session of the car park top deck,

then the realisation that the real thing is vertical, not horizontal.

The mayor, Cllr Paulina Stockell, was a very enthusiastic volunteer; and abseiled complete with her chain of office and two teddy bears.

President Terry persuaded several members of his family to have a go, including grandson Lewis.

St John Ambulance were not only on duty at the bottom (thanks folks) but also represented at the top by the local Chief Executive, Vanessa Hannan.

Riversiders in action!

Martin Carter raised extra sponsorship by agreeing to abseil in a netball skirt (or at least that's the reason he gave us for wearing it!)

"Our" Interactors, the Interact Club of Maidstone Grammar School, were there in force, and seven of them made the descent.

One 'fashionably unlaced" trainer reached the ground somewhat quicker than its owner (spot the blue sock)..

And the reason we did it all? Well, apart from the feeling of relief as you reach terra firma again, there was the sponsorship money. We collected £8000 on the day, and distributed that to our charities on the following Tuesday night.

(Updated 11/6/02) The amount raised to date is £13400, and there's more to come!