On Saturday 14 June, St John’s Foundation resident Carolyn Stevens took part in a charity abseil, the ‘Leap of Faith’ down the iconic Bath Abbey tower, raising vital funds for Genesis Trust, a local charity supporting homeless and vulnerable people in Bath.
Carolyn, who is 81 years old, has been resident at St John’s Foundation in central Bath for 12 years and is no stranger to adventure.
“Two years ago, I had booked to do a zip wire with U3A for my birthday but had to postpone due to illness,” she said. “When I saw the charity abseil advertised, I immediately jumped at the chance to get involved!”
More than just a personal milestone, Carolyn sees the event as a way to give back. She explained: “We’re doing this for a great local charity so it’s a brilliant cause. It also gives me the opportunity to give something back to the community.”
Having already tackled the 212 steps to the top of Bath Abbey before, she knew what she was in for, descending the 160 feet of the tower, and said: “For me, it’s not the coming down I was worried about, it was the going up!”
After completing the abseil, she summed up the experience in true adventurer spirit: “It was exciting, terrifying and very, very wet due to the torrential downpour!”
St John’s Head of Good Living, Lynn Toman, also took part in the challenge, pictured below. She said: “Carolyn’s idea grew into something really special. Her abseil is a real-life example of ageing without limits”.
St John’s works with older adults in the BaNES community to help them live happy, healthy and independent lives without limitations. For more information about St John’s Foundation and its work, visit stjohnsbath.org.uk
