Boy takes fundraising to new heights (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Boy takes fundraising to new heights

FUND raising for Oaksey School's new hall scaled new heights when a pupil abseiled down the church tower, raising over £1,000 for the cause.

Over 100 people, including staff, pupils and villagers watched in awe as six-year-old pupil Jack Green made the 45ft descent under the guidance of father Richard, a former physical training instructor for the Royal Marines.

Jack, whose four-year-old sister Gemma also attends the school, made four descents down the side of the Oaksey church tower, which dates from around 1790.

The Rev Barry Raven said: "I thought it was a terrific idea.

"It is along way down, but Jack was in very safe hands."

Head teacher Ursula Scott said: "I was a little apprehensive, but I thought it was a spectacular idea.

"I wasn't tempted to try it myself, though."

Jack and his sister have been climbing since the age of two, and it was Jack's idea to climb down the church tower to help the school's building project.

Richard Green said: "A friend of ours has to wind the church clock every four days, and he asked Jack and Gemma if they would like to see the clock workings.

"Jack then came up with the idea of abseiling down the church for the school."

Fund-raising for the new school hall has already topped £30,000, with a target of £43,000 to be met by next January.