SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is looking for adventurous fundraisers to abseil down the Falkirk Wheel, descending 100 feet on 15 March in a “SSAFA first”.
Armed Forces personnel are known for tackling adventures head on, and SSAFA is now searching for people to take on the thrilling challenge in support of serving personnel, veterans and their families in Scotland. Operated by Zone Events, the team will fit participants with a full body climbing harness and provide a safety briefing before professional climbing instructors guide them along the aqueduct and clip them into an abseil rope, with a secondary safety line also attached that is controlled by Zone Events staff.
The event has a registration fee of £30 to cover the cost of the abseil, and participants are asked to commit to a minimum fundraising target of £200. Fundraising goes directly to supporting the Armed Forces community across Scotland, including serving personnel, veterans and their families. Now in its 140th year, SSAFA provides welfare and wellbeing support to the Armed Forces family, all tailored to individual needs, helping them through some of life’s toughest moments with practical and emotional support. It has 17 branches across Scotland.
One person who has already signed up for the abseil is Nikkole Jamieson, of South Lanarkshire. Her father is Gary Jamieson, a veteran whose life was forever changed by a horrific explosion in Afghanistan in 2010. The incident left him severely injured: he is now a triple amputee. Recovery has been a long and difficult journey for Gary and his family. SSAFA has helped the Jamiesons through the years, adapting their home to accommodate Gary’s mobility needs and assisting them with logistical and financial support during his numerous operations.
Now, Nikkole is looking forward to abseiling from the Falkirk Wheel in March to fundraise for SSAFA so that it can help other families like hers.
Commenting on the experience, Nikkole said:
“I can’t put into words what SSAFA means to us as a family. If it wasn’t for SSAFA, I don’t think we would be where we are now, and we will be forever grateful to the charity. I take joy in spreading word about SSAFA as a lot of people don’t know about it, and the Falkirk Wheel abseil gives me another opportunity to do that. I’ve always wanted to do an abseil, but nerves held me back. When the opportunity arose to abseil for SSAFA, I just thought – the time is now! I am nervous, but I know once the day arrives, I will be absolutely fine and full of excitement more than anything!”
Scott Cunningham, Senior Challenge and Community Events Officer for SSAFA in Scotland, added:
“Challenge events have become increasingly popular amongst our fundraisers, many of whom have a real spirit for adventure. We can’t wait to see our first-ever Falkirk Wheel abseilers in March. We’d love for anyone who might be interested to sign up. For the participant, it’s a mental and physical accomplishment. But after the day, it will help people who have served for their country.”
SSAFA has been working for the whole UK Armed Forces community for 140 years, since 1885. Its mission is simple: to reach and embrace the Armed Forces family, so they never battle alone.
To find out more about the Falkirk Wheel Abseil event, visit: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us/events/challenge/falkirk-wheel-ssafa-abseil-2025/
