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Abseiler Bill, 95, breaks record
SOUTH Tyneside has a new record-breaker – a 95-year-old great-grandfather.
Bill Groombridge became the oldest man to abseil down the side of a building when he took the plunge off Westmorland Court, in Hebburn, on Saturday.
He went over the top to raise money for the Mayor's Charity and said it was "a piece of cake".
Bill, of Clayside House sheltered complex in Kenton Court, South Shields, broke the world record for being the oldest person to abseil down a building.
The former merchant seaman, who was born in Tyne Dock, said: "When I got to the top of the building and looked around, the view was wonderful, but I started to get doubts.
"But I soon got over it and put my foot over the edge. As soon as I was in position, the worries disappeared and I went down. It was a piece of cake."
Daughter Margaret, who put Bill's name forward for the abseil, was thrilled with his achievement.
She said: "He is just fabulous. I didn't sleep all night, worrying, but he was raring to go – I'm so proud of him.
"He's very active and has got to get out and about every day. He was in the Navy for years, and he said taking part in this took him back to those days.
"I'll never hear the end of this now – he's talking about abseiling off the Tyne bridge!"
All money raised from the event will go to the Mayor's Charity fund, which this year is supporting Cancer Connections, the 2 by 2 Children's Foundation and the stroke unit at South Tyneside District Hospital.
The Mayor of South Tyneside, Coun John Anglin, and wife Chris also went over the top.
Coun Anglin said: "Chris went first and absolutely loved it. I went down with Bill and he was way out in front of me.
"I was just getting started and he was already at the bottom.
"What a person he is – he's full of life and a real inspiration.
"Everyone who took part today is inspirational. They have all overcome some fears to do it."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
