Councillor to face fears with charity abseil

The Miller's Dale viaduct where the sponsored abseil will take place.

An intrepid Mansfield Woodhouse councillor is brushing her fears aside to abseil 80 feet down a viaduct in the name of charity.

Joyce Bosnjak admits she is ‘petrified’ at the prospect of completing the challenge as part of a team from the Mansfield Woodhouse-based Adventure Service.

They are collectively attempting to abseil the height of Russia’s Elbrus mountain - 5,642 metres - between 12th and 16th May in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“I’m nervous about it already because I’m not good with heights and I don’t like water either - and the abseil is over a river,” said Joyce.

Councillor Joyce Bosnjak is conquering her fears by abseiling for charity.

“But it’s a terrific cause, so I want to do my bit - even if there are others who do a lot more abseils than me.

“The trouble is that now I’ve publicly said I’m going to do it, there is no backing out!

Around 50 people are expected to take part in the challenge at the Miller Dale viaduct, close to Buxton in Derbyshire and raise money through sponsorship.

Adventure Service’s director Terry Harris-Ellis said: “It’s going to be a fantastically fun few days.

“People who have received help really want to give something back as a thank you.”