DORCHESTER’S mayor is preparing to prove her head for heights again with another charity challenge.
Councillor Stella Jones will join other fundraisers in an abseil down Blacknor South on Saturday, March 29 for Autism Wessex.
The county town’s first citizen, who embarked on a skydive two years ago to raise funds for Cancer Research UK, is also urging more people to join in the challenge and raise more money for a charity that supports local people with autism.
Coun Jones said it will not be the first time she has taken on a charity abseil as mayor.
She said: “When I was mayor 13 years ago I did an abseil down the water tower at Tower Park and I raised £500 for Cancer Care.
“To me it was only an abseil down the top of the tower and then swinging all the rest of the way down.
“This one is going down the cliffs at Portland so it will be a proper abseil.”
Coun Jones, a former teacher, said she was very proud to be raising funds to support the work of Autism Wessex as it was a cause close to her heart.
She said: “I am very keen to raise awareness of autism.
“This is a local charity and when I was teaching I used to have a lot of autistic children in my classes and I want to raise awareness that they are just like everybody else.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Coun Jones can contact Dorchester Town Council on 01305 266861.
She said she was hoping to raise as much money as she could herself and also urged other people to sign up to take part in the challenge and raise funds for the charity.
Paul Reade, community and events fundraiser for Autism Wessex, said: “We are encouraging people to sign up as soon as possible as this is proving a popular event, being able to challenge yourself personally whilst raising vital funds for Autism Wessex, which supports people who often endure daily challenges.”
Registration costs just £10 with a minimum sponsorship to raise £100 for Autism Wessex.
Registration can be completed via the charity’s website at autismwessex.org.uk For more information call Mr Reade on 01202 703597 or email paul.read@autismwessex.org.uk
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