Blind pensioner tackles abseil for a good cause

Ron Davies is helped by a member of the Adventure Northumberland team during his abseil.

Rob Davies, from Alnwick, took on the stunt at Bamburgh Castle at the end of last month, in aid of the Northumberland County Blind Association (NCBA).

The 74-year-old, who has an implanted defibrillator for his heart disease, was the first fund-raiser to abseil down the Constable Tower on the day and he has so far raised £1,100 for his efforts.

He has an inverted sternum and during his descent, the harness was hurting his ribs, so a member of the Adventure Northumberland team went down with him.

Rob has been slowly losing his sight since his youth due to an hereditary disease and he has been totally blind for the last decade. He says that he, along with many others, have received support, training and advice from the NCBA and he wanted to give something back to help others with any level of sight loss.

His proud wife Catherine said: “I am full of admiration for all 26 who abseiled, but especially my Rob. He was determined to do it. Keep your James Bonds, this is my hero.”

Visit tinyurl.com/gnofw5o to sponsor Rob.

The NCBA is a local voluntary association working for visually-impaired people throughout Northumberland.