Checkouts colleague Les abseils down Derby Cathedral to raise money for hospice

A huge well done to checkouts colleague Les Dodd from our Derby store who abseiled 212ft down the side of Derby Cathedral to raise money for the Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People in Loughborough.

Former firefighter Les, who's 73 and has worked at the store for 22 years, was the first one down the cathedral during the fundraising event. He's raised £350 so far.

He said: "It was one hell of an adrenaline rush! I'd done abseiling before in the Scouts as a youngster and during an outward bound course when I first joined the fire service. It was a one-off event for this particular charity so I thought I'd give it a go.

"Heights don't particularly bother me... I just don't look down! The worst bit was not actually abseiling down the cathedral but going up the 189 steps up the very narrow staircase to the top."

Les, who's been married to Fay for 52 years and has four children and five grandchildren, thanked all his family, friends and colleagues who sponsored him, as well as the congregation at the cathedral, where he is part of the serving team.

He said: "My regular customers at the store know about my abseil and I work with some tremendous people who have been very supportive."

The store's community champion Becky Hill said: "Les is just incredible and we are all proud of him. The money raised by Les will help the hospice with the brilliant work that they do."