Group abseils down Dudley Castle to raise funds for new defibrillator

Councillors and residents took fundraising to new heights with a charity abseil down Dudley Castle.

Published Oct 13, 2019

Councillor Keiran Casey is watched by fellow volunteers as he abseils down the walls of Dudley Castle to raise money for a defibrillator for Sycamore Adventure Centre on the Old Park Farm Estate

The weather may have been poor, but it didn't damp fundraisers' spirits as about 20 people abseiled down in the drizzle to raise funds for a community defibrillator.

The funds are being raised for a new public access defibrillator which will be installed on the side of Sycamore Adventure Centre on the Old Park Farm Estate.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor David Stanley, pictured with Councillors Adam Aston, left and Keiran Casey along with fellow volunteers as they abseil down the walls of Dudley Castle to raise money for a defibrillator for Sycamore Adventure Centre on the Old Park Farm Estate

This is part of a community safety campaign being run by local residents and councillors Adam Aston and Keiran Casey, which has already seen defibrillators installed at other locations across the local area.

The group set a target of £1,000 to raise. And among the group on Sunday was a 14-year-old member of the First Upper Gornal Scouts.

Councillor Casey said: "It was brilliant and the views from the top of the castle are stunning.

Fundraisers abseil down the walls of Dudley Castle to raise money for a defibrillator for Sycamore Adventure Centre on the Old Park Farm Estate

"I started to slip at the bottom, I'm fine with heights it was just slippy.

"The only time I felt nervous is when I was at the edge and I had to lean back for the photo.

"It's a local community project, so we thought what a better place than Dudley Castle which is iconic across the region.

"We've raised about £900 at the moment with more still coming in."