AN ABSEIL brought joy to a disabled boy who took part in a 40ft descent strapped to his father and alongside his grandmother from Wotton.

Marge Cole, 75, who owns Scissor Scene hair salon in Church Street, Wotton, and three generations of her family made the leap from the top of the Ecotricity building in Stroud last month to raise money for the Allsorts Charity.

Her grandson Raphael Cole-Newton, seven, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was strapped to his father David Newton, 49, for the descent.

Raphael’s cousins, Finlay Embrey, 13, and Neive Embrey, 10, from Wotton, also took on the challenge.

Marge is no stranger to danger having taken part in an Utterly Butterly Wing Walking aerial adventure for her 60th birthday where she was harnessed to the struts of a plane. Other extreme charity ventures included a thrilling ride as she was swung speedily along a zip wire over the Avon Gorge, and an abseil 15 years ago for Bristol children’s charities. Although the abseil this time around was far higher, Marge said that she wasn’t afraid of the height but felt nervous for Raphael, who lives in Leonard Stanley. She said: “I was on the roof with David when Raph was being strapped to him and I felt nervous for Raph so that took the edge off my abseil. I went over the edge with no qualms.

“Raph’s daddy talked to him all the way down and he was fine, although he didn’t like the noise of everyone cheering and clapping. He’s a dear little chap.”

Young Raphael is a member of Allsorts which supports families across Gloucestershire who have children with disabilities and additional needs. The charity provides youth clubs, family trips, inclusive sports and specialist equipment. Raphael stays in Leonard Stanley with Marge’s daughter and his father, David. Marge is a member of the grandparents’ group, which keeps her in touch with others who have grandchildren with disabilities. She wanted to thank everyone in Wotton who sponsored the family and helped them raise about £300.

“We wanted to do the abseil as a family. We felt it was a good thing to do to raise money for Allsorts. It’s a lovely organisation.

“I always say that’s the last one I’m doing because I’m past it now. But then I end up doing another because I can’t resist getting involved for a good cause.”