A young lady who lost her best friend at the age of just seven is taking on our new abseil event in her memory.

Clara Powis, from Ryton in Shrewsbury is fundraising for our hospices after her friend Maya, who was born with a life-threatening condition, died in 2015.

Along with her brother Charles and friend Abbi Williams, Clara will be taking on the Anglesey Abseil on 17^th May.

In association with Go Vertical, it sees brave entrants climb the 115 steps to the top of the Anglesey Column tower before leaning back over the edge to descend the 89ft by rope.

Book your abseil here

Clara and Abbi test out the gear in the grounds of Hope House

Adrenaline

Speaking for the trio, Clara’s mum, Lisa-Jayne Powis said: “Clara grew up with Maya and to lose a friend at such a young age is horrendously devastating.

“She has become an age now where she can do these sort of challenges and she has no fear at all.”

In the past, the now 16 year-old has raised over £40,000 for our hospices in Oswestry and Conwy by holding events such as classic car runs, numerous raffles, party nights and collecting donations at Shrewsbury Folk Festival and Theatre Severn.

Lisa-Jayne continued: “She has roped her older brother Charles and friend Abbi who is 16 to do it also.

“We’ll all be going together as a family to support them and are really looking forward to it.

“Charles even did a skydive for Hope House a few years ago, so they’re both really adrenalin junkies.”

Historic

Opened in 1817, the abseil takes entrants down the Anglesey Column on the picturesque banks of the Menai Starits, near the famous village of LlanfairPG. It descends the tribute to the Earl of Uxbridge following the Battle of Waterloo in which he lost a leg and was later made Marquees of Anglesey.

Reflecting on her daughter’s journey so far, Lisa-Jayne said: “As parents, Andrew and I feel immensely proud.

“To have that much grief at that young age we are also incredibly grateful that Clara was able to turn it round and say do positive things for the hospice who cared for Maya.

“She’s managed it so well.”

Clara has three other fundraising events planned in 2025 for Hoe House Tŷ Gobaith, an Easter Quiz, Summer fete and Classic Convoy.

Sponsor Clara here