A riding centre in Bury is offering people the opportunity to abseil from Peel Tower – the iconic structure on top of Holcombe Hill, Ramsbottom.
The sponsored abseil down the 128ft tower is being organised to raise money for Margaret Haes Riding Centre which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
The centre is a registered charity for those with a disability and this major milestone means a huge amount as it faced closure less than three years ago.
The sponsored abseil, on Saturday, June 27, will raise funds to support the welfare of the horses there, help meet core costs and for essential site improvements.
The first slot will be at 9am and the final slot of the day will be at 3.45pm.
The abseil will be overseen by Outdoor Services and Alternate Adventure to keep everybody safe.
Debra Bachelor BEM, Trustee at MHRC, explained: “After a long campaign to raise funds to purchase the centre or potentially close, the charity took ownership of the land and stables in March 2023.
“The purchase was made possible through match funding from the Government's Community Ownership Grant, securing the centre for future generations.”
She added: “Thanks to the ongoing efforts of its supporters, the local community and local businesses, the centre continues to be a safe and welcoming space for all its riders, volunteers, families and staff.”
To get involved, you will have to pay a £30 registration fee that covers the cost of taking part, then all the funds raised through sponsorship by those abseiling will go to the charity.
The Riding Centre was started 60 years ago by Margaret (Peggy) Haes, a well-known Holcombe resident.
A charity was formed in her name in 2004, a few years before she died, in July 2008, and her legacy continues.
The Margaret Haes Riding Centre is now a highly commended British Horse Society Approved Centre where everyone is welcome from the age of four years to ride and 13 years to volunteer, with or without a disability.
It is also an approved BHS Changing Lives Through Horses provider - offering alternate education for people from five to 25 years.
To register visit https://buytickets.at/margarethaesridingcentrelimited/2013347
To fundraise visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/abseil2026
This is the second time the charity has organised a fundraising abseil and in September 2021, 89 people did the abseil.
With sponsored walks, they raised over £12,000 for the riding centre.
Debra Bachelor said: “We are hoping to beat these numbers and raise even more funds this year with a host of activities to celebrate our 6Oth anniversary.”
The charity is looking for support from local business and corporate sponsors for some of the fundraising activities, including T-shirts for the abseil and other costs.
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