Holyhead councillor's charity abseil to conquer fear of heights

Jun 24 2009

A HOLYHEAD town councillor will be braving a 500ft abseil down one of London’s most famous buildings to raise money for charity – despite being scared of heights.

Aaron Taylor, 33, who represents the Porthyfelin ward, will be jumping off the side of Guy’s Hospital Tower in London next Saturday.

He will be taking part in one of the largest public abseils for charity ever to take place in the UK and will be raising money for the Myasthenia Gravis Association.

Mr Taylor, who lives on Cleveland Avenue, took part in an abseil off the Menai Suspension Bridge in 1997 and believes that experience will stand him in good stead.

Mr Taylor, who works for Cheshire Council, said: "I’m not a big fan of heights.

"Menai Bridge was a bit scary but the view was good, but this one is five times as high. I must be mad!"

"I’m looking to raise a minimum of £500.

"I’ve chosen to fundraise for the Myasthenia Gravis Association because it gets very little public exposure and little is known about the disease.

"Myasthenia Gravis is a sort of disease that affects the nervous system, a bit like Multiple Sclerosis."

After hearing about the charity, Mr Taylor decided to take part in the abseil to help raise their profile.

The name Myasthenia Gravis, which is Latin and Greek in origin, literally means grave muscle weakness, that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest.

Certain muscles such as those that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing are often, but not always, involved in the disorder.

The muscles that control breathing and neck and limb movements may also be affected.

Myasthenia Gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles.

Anyone who is interested in sponsoring Aaron Taylor can do so by visiting his online fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/aarontaylor.

For more information on the Myasthenia Gravis Association log on to www.mga.uk.org