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Monday, February 17, 2025
HomeDorset East“Husband and wife team zip wire to fundraising success for Army Charity

“Husband and wife team zip wire to fundraising success for Army Charity

A soldier serving in the British Forces based in Southampton is showing his fundraising support for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) by being the very first soldier to zip wire down Bournemouth’s newest attraction for the Charity.

SSgt Guy Sargeant is a REME Artificer currently serving in 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC and has served in the Army for 17 years.  In recent years he has been an incredibly passionate and active fundraiser for the Charity.  In 2013 he led his Regiment to win an Army wide competition, The Carrington Drum Award, which marked the Regiment’s significant contribution to fundraising, achieving a figure of some £15,000 for the ABF. Fundraising challenges were varied and diverse, including an abseil down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.

Guy enthused, “I was looking for a new fundraising challenge and I read about the new Zip Wire from the Pier in Bournemouth and knew that I wanted to give it a go.  It is something really different and when I’ve been seeking sponsorship everyone has been really keen to hear about it.  I mentioned it to my wife Alison and managed, after much persuasion, to twist her arm to zip down the dual zip wire with me.  I’ve also brought on board two colleagues, Cpl Matt Angus and CFN Scott Fitzpatrick.;”                                 

Guy continued, “Because of my job the Army Benevolent Fund, also known as The Soldiers Charity, is close to my heart.  I have worked with colleagues who have been killed and injured both in combat and off duty and the Charity has been there to support them and their families.  A colleague who became paralysed in an accident was supported by the Charity and they provided the funds to enable him to buy a sports wheelchair which has made a real positive difference to his life.  There are so many examples of soldiers supported by the ABF in this way.”

Speaking after his Zip Wire, Guy said, “Wow, it’s a lot faster than it looks. I can highly recommend doing it, it was a lot of fun.  I’m very proud of my wife, Ali for getting up there too.”

Guy’s children Evie, age 7, and Harry, age 2, looked on with awe.  Evie said, “I’m really proud of my Daddy and Mummy for doing it and they’ve raised a few hundred pounds for a great charity.”  Harry, when asked for comment interjected, “Yeah!”

The Army Benevolent Fund is the Army’s national charity and was established over 70 years ago. It gives lifetime support to serving and retired soldiers and their families, whatever their age or rank, and can provide financial assistance when they are in real need.

Sheena Ross, Briefing & Liaison Office at The Army Benevolent Fund said, “The ABF is currently supporting over 6,000 individuals who last year ranged in age from 5 months to 107 years old.  We are incredibly grateful for the continuing fundraising work that Guy is doing.  He’s an inspiration and his fundraising is making a real difference!”

The Bournemouth PierZip Wire is the World’s first Pier to Shore Zip Wire and opened to the public at the beginning of September to much acclaim. The PierZip features a 250 metre dual zip wire over 80 feet above the sea.  Launching from the Zip Tower on the end of the Pier thrill-seekers race out and “zip surf” over the top of the waves to land on the beach.  The new PierZip is part of the RockReef Attraction on Bournemouth Pier which includes an all-weather indoor climbing centre which features a “Clip ’n’ Climb” attraction of some 25 fun themed indoor climbing walls, including a Vertical Drop Slide, the “Leap of Faith” Challenge, a Highline Aerial Obstacle Course and the Pier Cave which is a 65-linear metre indoor cave designed for both experienced cavers and learners alike.

https://www.soldierscharity.org/    https://www.rockreef.co.uk/

Facebook.com/rockreefuk @RockReef_UK

Kate Shaw

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