Daredevils from across the country are being encouraged to sign up for the chance to descend from the UNESCO World Heritage site that is the Forth Bridge.
The event, run by Scotland’s largest health charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland in partnership with Network Rail and Balfour Beatty, will take place on 28th September. It provides a superb opportunity for businesses to take part in a unique team-building exercise which can raise vital funds for CHSS to help support the 1 in 5 people in Scotland living with a chest, heart or stroke condition and Long Covid.
Last year almost 800 braved the bridge across two events in June and October, raising over £390,000 for all participating charities.
For Tayside energy consultants Here’s the Plan, a team of six brave fundraisers scaled the famous bridge. Christian Williams, Sam Grace, Douglas Reid, Ben Frame, Rowan Charity and Gordon Barlow all took part in the fundraiser on Sunday.
Christian, the head of commercial services at Here’s the Plan, said: “We’ve had a number of people in the business who have experience of chest, heart and stroke conditions either personally or through a family member so we decided to do something to support Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
“I think everyone has a story that connects them to a chest, heart or stroke condition. It’s a cause that’s quite close to our company.
“We’d never done anything as big as this as a team in my time at the company and it was something a little bit different.
“We are small business but we are across multiple departments so we wouldn’t necessarily spend time together like this so that’s the nice thing about this as well. It’s a great team-building exercise and I’d do it again.”
Heather McCann, Community, Event and Corporate Fundraising Manager at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “The Forth Bridge Abseil is the biggest fundraising event of the year for us with hundreds of people taking part to abseil from this iconic location to raise funds for their chosen charity.
“This is the ultimate thrill-seeking challenge backed up with spectacular views across the Firth of Forth. We’d urge anyone looking to challenge themselves for good to sign up today.”
Alan Ross, Network Rail Scotland’s director of engineering and asset management, said: “The Forth bridge is already an iconic landmark recognised worldwide, but witnessing hundreds of brave people descend from it each year makes it even more inspiring.
“The bridge’s distinctive architecture and impressive height provide a stunning backdrop for this challenge. As custodians, it’s a privilege to offer people the chance to experience it from such a unique perspective and make unforgettable memories.
“Events like this that remind us why we do what we do – connecting people and supporting the communities we serve.”
Colin Hardie, Construction Superintendent at Balfour Beatty, said: “We are delighted to have joined with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Network Rail once again to open the doors to the iconic Forth Bridge in 2025.
“Since it launched over 20 years ago, the Forth Bridge Abseil event has raised millions for those living with chest, heart, and stroke conditions and Long Covid. We look forward to making this year’s abseil the biggest and most successful to date.”
Entries for the Forth Bridge Abseil 2025 are now open. For more information or to sign up, visit Forth Bridge Abseil – Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (chss.org.uk)
