Wendy Barfoot, daughter of Diverse Abilities’ founder Phyllis Edwards, is abseiling the Spinnaker Tower in aid of Dorset’s disability charity. 

Diverse Abilities was founded by Mrs Edwards in 1955 to support Wendy’s sister, Marilyn, who was born with cerebral palsy. After sending a letter in to the local paper, a group of families came together to create Langside School, which has developed into a charity with 12 services for children and adults with physical and learning disabilities. 

On her challenge, Wendy commented: “This year I will be celebrating my 80th birthday – I’ve taken on a variety of different challenges over the years and I’m really looking forward to this one. If there’s anyone else out there celebrating a big birthday in April, then you are more than welcome to join me on Saturday, April 30.” 

The Spinnaker Tower, based in Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays, is 100 metres tall and offers unmissable views across Portsmouth harbour, the Solent, and the Isle of Wight. 

Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, offers a variety of challenges throughout the year for thrill seekers looking to help raise vital funds for the organisation.

The charity offers dates for Wing Walks at Compton Abbas Aerodrome and Skydives over Salisbury Plains throughout the summer season, as well as trekking events, sports competitions, and full support and guidance for those who think up their own challenges. 

Emma Bovey, fundraising manager at Diverse Abilities, added: “Challenges are an excellent way to help us in our mission to provide extraordinary lives for extraordinary people while also taking on something extraordinary in your own life. It costs us around £19,000 a day to run the charity and more than 80p in every £1 raised goes straight back into our services.”

Visit diverseabilities.org.uk/events to find out more about the other challenges available, or visit justgiving.com/fundraising/wendy-barfoot3 to sponsor Wendy in her challenge.