Castle abseil no problem for war vet Arthur (From Ledbury Reporter)

Castle abseil no problem for war vet Arthur

9:32am Friday 8th May 2009

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AN 87-year-old World War Two veteran from Ledbury will prove that age is no object when he joins daredevils tackling an abseil and zipslide down the side of Eastnor Castle.

Arthur Wrench, of Bramley Close, will be tackling the challenge next month to raise funds and awareness for The Stroke Association.

The charity is particularly close to Mr Wrench’s heart as three years ago his wife Mary developed vascular dementia - a condition which involves mini strokes, known as transient ischaemic attacks, which can gradually impair a person’s mind.

Mr Wrench said that although his wife’s memory is now quite poor, he looks forward to showing her pictures of his daring antics after the event.

“The Stroke Association is something that I am very keen to support, and that is the main reason why I am doing this,” said Mr Wrench. “Strokes have not had enough publicity to date so I’d like to do what I can to help.”

However Mr Wrench also admits to being something of a thrill-seeker, having already tried his hand at hot air ballooning and high-speed motorboat driving.

Despite undergoing major heart surgery four years ago he has been given the all-clear by his doctor to go ahead, and is now looking forward to the challenge.

“People have said that I am quite old to be doing this, but I think you are only as old as you feel and that is quite a lot younger for me,” he said. “I am quite looking forward to it. It’s a bit of excitement and should be a lot of fun.”

Mr Wrench has set himself a fund-raising target of £300 and is already well on the way to reaching that goal.

Anyone who would like to join in with the challenge on June 28 can register by calling Robert Jinks on 0121 444 1042 or emailing robert.jinks@stroke.org.uk Participants pay £10 to register for either the abseil or zipslide and must raise a minimum of £75 sponsorship. To take part in both parts of the challenge registration is £20 and the minimum sponsorship £100.

The abseil will take place from 10am-12.30pm and the zipslide between 1-5pm.

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