Lord Mayor of Portsmouth confronts fear of heights at Royal Navy charity HQ ahead of abseiling spectacle

Lady Mayoress Leza Tremorin and Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr David Fuller listen to charity staff

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr David Fuller listens to charity staff

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr David Fuller inside Naval Command Headquarters

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr David Fuller points to Emirates Spinnaker Tower from Naval Command Headquarters

Lady Mayoress Leza Tremorin and Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr David Fuller

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr David Fuller; Hilary Jukes, RNRMC Regional Fundraising Coordinator; Lady Mayoress Leza Tremorin

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor David Fuller, tackled his fear of heights today (9^th March) ahead of a charity abseiling challenge in aid of The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).

During a visit to RNRMC headquarters on Whale Island, Portsmouth, Cllr Fuller visited the establishment’s tallest building in preparation for his upcoming challenge.

Speaking of his fears and excitement around the upcoming fundraising event, Cllr Fuller said: “I will hopefully be the first Lord Mayor of Portsmouth to abseil down the Emirates Spinnaker Tower on 30^th April. I’m petrified of heights but it’s all for a good cause.”

Six other mayors/chairmen from local boroughs will also be taking part in the abseil and the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire will be onsite to give his support.

The day’s visit coincides with the 10^th birthday of the RNRMC which has distributed more than £50 million to projects and charities, such as Norton Home Headley Court, which provides free accommodation for severely injured, wounded and sick Servicing or ex-Service naval personnel and their families, to The Poppy Factory, which works with ex-Service personnel with physical disabilities and mental health conditions.

Accompanied by his sister, Lady Mayoress Leza Tremorin, Cllr Fuller met with staff from The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, one of his chosen Mayoral charities for the year, to learn more about the kinds of projects his donations may help fund in future.

Cllr Fuller said: “It’s been a privilege meeting staff at The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, which does so much for local people here in Portsmouth, as well as for sailors, marines, families and veterans nationwide.”

Recent projects supported by The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity in the city include the construction of three self-contained family flats inside HMNB Portsmouth; Veterans Outreach Support clinics; and Kings Camp summer camps for children at HMS Temeraire, the Royal Navy’s sporting unit of excellence, in the heart of the city.

Cllr Fuller is calling upon the city to help him raise £60k for his chosen charities, all of which are based in Portsmouth: the Oncology and Haematology Department at QA Hospital, Help 4 Special Children and The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

Donations to the Lord Mayor’s appeal can be made at https://localgiving.org/charity/lordmayorcharityappeal/

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IMAGES (Credit ‘Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity’): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bo5j3mc6hzm67hm/AABnMheaD6M89BUyJWIPyCmPa?dl=0

Notes for editors:

Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is the principal charity of the Royal Navy. It exists to support sailors, marines and their families, for life.

Since 2007 it has funded projects and facilities that boost morale for those who serve today. It also distributes millions of pounds annually to military charities who care for the children, families and veterans of the Naval Service.

For more information on The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, call 023 9387 1520 or visit www.rnrmc.org.uk.

Media contact: Chris Taylor, Media and PR Executive Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, E: chris.taylor@rnrmc.org.uk T: 023 9387 1540, Facebook: www.facebook.com/rnrmc, Twitter: www.twitter.com/rnrmc

Royal Navy Images: Royal Navy royalty-free, high-res images, are available on request (MOD Crown Copyright applies). See examples below.