TAVISTOCK?S Victorian town hall will see a first in its long history next month, when air cadets take part in a charity challenge which could net them a dream trip to Cyprus. The cadets from Tavistock?s 2312 squadron are planning a mass abseil down the side of the town hall, to raise money for the Royal Air Force Association. The cadets hope to abseil the equivalent height of Britain?s three highest peaks ? Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis ? a total of 3,363 metres. Flight Lieutenant Phil Newcombe said: ?Basically the ATC nationally were given a challenge to raise awareness and funds for the RAF Association. ?I put the idea to the cadets of abseiling off something, we looked at various places and the town hall seemed the best place. ?The town council has agreed, so on December 17, there will be a load of cadets jumping off the hall ? in a controlled manner.? The cadets will be collecting sponsors for their abseiling challenge and Flt Lt Newcombe is hoping they could raise up to £1,000 for the RAF Association. The prize for the most original and innovative team of fundraising cadets is a trip to Cyprus to meet the Red Arrows and watch them training in preparation for their summer season. There is also a runners-up prize, which will be to visit the Red Arrows at their British base. The town council, which owns the town hall, gave permission for the abseil at last month?s meeting. Cllr Jenny Metcalf, mayor of Tavistock, said as a person who did not like heights, she thought the cadets were ?very brave?. ?I think it?s very exciting and enterprising of them ? it will certainly be a spectacular sight. I look forward to seeing it and I hope they raise lots of money for a very worthwhile cause,? said Cllr Metcalf.
