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Mayor roped in to charity abseil at RWA
Bristol mayor George Ferguson and BBC radio breakfast host Laura Rawlings joined art lovers in a charity abseil outside the Royal West of England Academy yesterday.
Dressed in their favourite artists’ costumes, dozens of intrepid fundraisers lowered themselves gingerly one after the other from a cage 100ft above the ground.
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Rawlings, who has just joined the BBC’s breakfast show with Steve Le Fevre conquered her fear of heights to complete the adventure.
“My head’s in a spin, feeling giddy with excitement… I’ve abseiled 100ft & I’m terrified of heights. Big smile!” she said on Twitter.
The RWA has been a self-funded charity for 150 years relying on grants, donations and fundraising stunts in order to house various exhibitions.
Yesterday’s stunt aimed to raise £7,500, with £5,570 having been pledged by last night.
Alison Bevan, RWA director, said: “We are delighted so many people joined us, including the mayor. We hope this event will help raise much-needed funds for the RWA so we can continue to hold our wonderful exhibitions which are much enjoyed by the public.”
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