Pensioner Esther's abseil challenge
A Tullamore pensioner has come up with a novel way of celebrating her 70th birthday - she’s going to abseil down one of Ireland’s highest cliffs.
On October 8, Esther Kelly will become one of the oldest people to abseil down Fair Head in Antrim, one of Ireland’s most popular destinations for the hair-raising pursuit. Mother of three Esther will also use the occasion to raise funds for the suicide awareness charity Pieta House.
Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week, Esther said that she abseiled once before, around 25 years ago, and has always wanted to do it one more time.
She recently travelled to Dublin to meet with Vertigo Outdoor Pursuits, the firm that will be providing her equipment free of charge, and completed a short abseil in a disused quarry.
“They got me to go down the rope just to make sure I wouldn’t be afraid. That’s all the preparation, I’ll just turn up on the day and we’ll take it from there.”
Esther says that despite a couple of people voicing their reservations about her decision, she is looking forward to tackling one of Ireland’s most daunting cliffs.
The brave pensioner, who actually celebrates her birthday in November, is hoping that she will raise at least €2,000 for the “worthy cause” that is Pieta House and has already raised over €1,100. She has set up a fundraising page on the website justgiving.com.
“My husband threatened to give them plenty of money if they cut the rope,” Esther joked. “They know I won’t be put off, when I want to do something, I’ll do it.”
If anyone would like to contribute to Esther’s fundraising efforts they should go to the website www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Esther-Kelly.