Mayor happy to take the plunge

Sir Peter Soulsby is to leap off the side of a 100ft building – to raise cash for charity.

The mayor has signed up to abseil down the side of the Ramada Encore hotel, in the city centre, to support Leicester Charity Link.

Each year, the charity helps more than 5,000 people in the city who are experiencing poverty by providing basic items such as beds and cookers.

Sir Peter said: "There has been a long queue of people wanting to hold the rope and, frankly, I am suspicious of their motives.

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"But seriously, I am looking forward to doing this because it will support a charity that does such great work to help people in real need in this city."

Sir Peter, who is in his 60s, said: "I have done an abseil in the city centre before near the Clock Tower, and another down the tower at the (Lancaster Road) fire station but that was quite a few years ago when I was a younger man.

"I'm also delighted that, with no pressure from me, a number of council staff have pledged to take part, too."

Sir Peter has not set any fund-raising targets for his abseil but hopes to get others involved in the event. Overall, it is hoped £10,000 will be raised.

The mayor said he wanted to support the cause after it was revealed more than 26,000 children in the city are living under the Government definition of the poverty line – one in three of all youngsters in Leicester.

The abseil has been organised by The Phoenix Partners, a PR agency based in Sileby, and will take place at the hotel, in Charles Street, on Saturday, March 9.

Rachel Hargrave, director of The Phoenix Partners, said: "We are encouraging anyone who is up for a bit of a challenge to join us in fighting poverty."

Firms already signed up include the City Rooms, Ramada Encore and Bistro Live.

Leicester Charity Link's director of marketing and fund-raising, Susan McEniff, said: "Many children in Leicestershire go to school without breakfast and many of them know they will not get a hot meal when they return home.

"The £10,000 that is hopefully raised will help them."

To sign up for the abseil, ring Zeenat Sabur on 01509 815026, or e-mail:

zeenat@thephoenixpartners.com