Zip-line challenge sets £20k record

ZIPPING along the white-knuckle zip wire

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THIS year's hair-raising Mayor's Zip Wire Challenge raised a record £20,000 for charity and looks set to return next year.

In May former Mayor of Oldham Ateeque Ur-Rehman led an 84-strong gang of daredevils - including Failsworth MP Angela Rayner and Evening Chronicle editor Dave Whaley ­- down a the longest zip line in Europe.

Velocity, a 500ft-high line at Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda, North Wales, is described as "the nearest thing to flying" and stretches more than a mile, reaching speeds of up to 100mph. It is also said to be the fastest zip line in the world.

It has now been confirmed the event raised more than £20,000 which is by far the most money raised at a single event for the mayor's charity, since the establishment of the committee in 1974.

An estimated £2,500 was also attracted in gift aid.

Every penny raised will be split equally among the mayor's five chosen charities ­- the ACE Centre, Action Oldham, Anthony Nolan, The Christie and Doctor Kershaw's Hospice.

John Battye, chairman of the mayor's appeal committee, said: "Many thanks to everyone involved and to the hundreds of people who sponsored the participants and the other generous sponsors."

The new mayor and mayoress, Councillor Derek and Di Heffernan, would like to run the event again on May 14, 2017.