Fifteen fundraisers, aged between 14 and 85, took on a 100-metre descent down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower on Sunday 13th September 2026, raising over £6,000 so far to support older people across the Isle of Wight.
Teams and individuals take the plunge
Two corporate teams joined the event, with five participants from Home Instead Isle of Wight and five from Island Roads.
Our individual fundraisers included Vix Lowthion, Samantha Carter, Charlotte White, Brenda Bumstead and Gordy, from Gordy’s Wood Co.
Gordy also took on the descent alongside his daughter, with the pair raising funds together.
Reflecting on the day, he said:
“Massive thank you to Michaela for organising it as well. The whole day was brilliant.”
The youngest and oldest abseilers
The youngest participant, Charlotte White, took on her first abseil just nine days after her 14th birthday.
At the other end of the age range was 85-year-old Brenda Bumstead, an Age UK Isle of Wight volunteer who had already completed a fundraising skydive for the charity last summer.
A return to the edge after 60 years
For Brenda, the challenge was also a return to an activity she had last tried around 60 years ago, when she abseiled off cliffs near Freshwater. Both she and Charlotte shared their reasons for taking part on the charity’s abseil page online.
‘Every participant has given us something to celebrate’
Maria Bunce, Chief Officer of Age UK Isle of Wight, said,
“We are incredibly grateful to all 15 of our abseilers and to everyone who sponsored them. Taking that first step over the edge is a huge challenge, and it means so much that they chose to do it to support older people here on the Island.
“From Charlotte taking on her first abseil at 14 to Brenda returning to it at 85, there are some wonderful stories behind this event. Together with our teams from Home Instead and Island Roads, every participant has given us something to celebrate.
“Their fundraising will help us continue supporting older Islanders, and we would like to thank everyone who helped make the day possible.”
Thanks to Wightlink and the Spinnaker Tower team
Age UK Isle of Wight would also like to say a massive thank you to Wightlink for generously providing free ferry tickets for the abseilers, and to the Spinnaker Tower team for helping everything run smoothly on the day. The charity is incredibly grateful to both teams for their support in making the event a success.
About Age UK Isle of Wight
Age UK Isle of Wight is an independent local charity supporting older people across the Island. Its work includes companionship to help tackle loneliness, information and signposting, practical help at home, and support for people living with dementia and those returning home from hospital. Funds raised support the charity’s work within the Island community.
Anyone wishing to support the abseilers can find their fundraising pages through the Age UK Isle of Wight abseil webpage.
News shared by Joe on behalf of Age UK Isle of Wight. Ed
