Daring Di abseils from Cow and Calf rock for charity (From Wharfedale Observer)

Daring Di abseils from Cow and Calf rock for charity

8:00am Sunday 24th February 2013 in News

An abseil down the Cow and Calf has raised thousands of pounds for a teenager half a world away.

Three fundraisers have taken part in the event in Ilkley to help a 17-year-old Tanzanian boy who is confined to a wheelchair.

Di Oldam, from Rawdon, carried out the fundraiser along with Liz Smith, also from Rawdon, and David Kennedy, from Menston.

The group, who are all in their sixties, have raised more than £2,000 so far and hope the total will reach £3,600.

Di said: “The local Rotary District are operating a project to help people living on an island in Lake Victoria, Tanzania.

“A team has visited three times since 2010 and has been instrumental in modernising the hospital, improving school facilities, improving the water supply and sanitation, encouraging the development of local sustainable businesses and helping the community in other ways “One of the school pupils, 17-year-old Selestine, who I met in July, has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheel chair. He is intelligent and the school want him to have two years further education in Tanzania to improve his chance of finding employment.

“Until July, when we gave him the wheelchair, a friend had put him on a bike and pushed him one and a half miles to school and back over rough tracks.

“I looked for a way to raise funds to assist him and a sponsored abseil seemed to be a suitable choice.”

She thanked everyone who had supported the event, which was organised by her son Peter.