We made it....! The Lord Mayor's Abseil Challenge 2016....
Don't look down!... dropping over the edge of St Lawrence Jewry, to help replace two of the sea going vessels that have carried 4,600 Sea Cadets over the years....
A total of 49 participants, including the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, climbed narrow spiral stairs to the Clock Tower of the Lord Mayor’s Official Church, St Lawrence Jewry, with only one way down .... on ropes!
Then Master, David Peregrine-Jones, and Liverymen Richard Stewart and Graham Kennedy donned hard ha
ts and harnesses in the afternoon of Friday, 14 October, rising (in this case, descending) to the challenge of the incumbent Lord Mayor's final fundraising event for his chosen charities.
Richard and Graham abseiled when they were young lads, and David’s experience was more than 30 years ago in Foinaven in Northern Scotland! David says, “once you’ve leaned back and let the ropes take the strain, it feels as safe as houses!”
Kudos to our brave three, as between them, more than £3,000 is being raised for the Sea Cadets and JDRF (Junior Diabetes Research Fund). The Sea Cadets are of course, close to the hearts of members of the WCoMC – we have supported them over the years, investing in the next generation of young people for the maritime sector. Many of the 14,000 youth come from deprived areas, and this provides not just an outlet for activities, but helps in team and confidence building, and inspiring hope.
The Junior Diabetes Research Fund researches to find a cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes. Working with government departments, academia and industry, JDRF also gives valuable support to people and their families dealing with the illness.
At least £40,000 has been pledged for the charities, with a final tally to come at the end of the month hopefully to reach £50,000. There's still time to give!
Well done, gentlemen! May the incoming Lord Mayor Dr Andrew Parmley’s Charity Fundraising events 2017 be equally successful for our members.
http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Kennedy-Abseil-Challenge
What CITYAM reported:
EARLIER.....:
The Lord Mayor’s Abseil Challenge this year is raising funds for the Sea Cadets, to help replace two of the sea going vessels (Tradewind 35 yachts) that have carried 4,600 cadets the last 16 years. 
The Sea Cadets is a charity that has long been supported by the WCoMC – for example, we have recently provided grants for the purchase of equipment for the Cadets to carry out their training.
This October, Graham Kennedy and a few other Liverymen and Freemen from the Company will be joining the Lady Mayoress to abseil down the 94 feet St Lawrence Jewry, a Christopher Wren building and the official church of the Lord Mayor, in support of two of the main Lord Mayor’s Charities, the other being DJRF, an organisation doing crucial research into a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
We have been challenged by the Grocers!!
It would be great if WCoMC could have the largest contingent participating in the Abseil event. We’re being challenged by the Worshipful Company of Grocers, so please let Aileen Mitchel (aileenmitchel@gmail.com) know if you’re interested in taking part.
Richard Stewart (here performing at White's after a Company evening at Ronnie Scott's)...... is now just back from a summer sailing adventure out of Cadiz. Richard went up the river Guadiana bordering with Portugal and then onto Barbate, where the gales in the straits killed any further progress…. So now he is in good shape to come down St Lawrence Jewry with Graham.
Sponsorship or support from the company would be much appreciated!
AND ALSO - WCoMC's Master - and Master Sailor - David Peregrine-Jones - in his own immitable, understated manner - says -
"I find I have agreed to join in the Abseil on 14th Oct to support the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. It would be nice to meet our very modest contribution and even better if you came to cheer (or jeer!).
LET'S GO FOR IT !
More details here:
https://www.thelordmayorsappeal.org/events/194/abseil-challenge-st-lawrence-jewry/
David Peregrine-Jones, Master