An 81-year-old man from Sutton is taking on the world's fastest zip line to raise money for a blood runners charity group in Cambridgeshire.
Sid Gage will travel to Zip World in North Wales to brave zip wire on October 2, which traverses over the Penrhyn Quarry at speeds of more than 100mph.
The zip line lasts two hours, and Sid is eager to get going.
Sid said: "I feel alright, and in a way, I'm looking forward to it.
"People think I'm stupid at my age to try it, let alone do it!"
Sid, who will be 82 years old by the time he completes the challenge, was determined to take on the zip line to raise money for SERV Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
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SERV provide a free service transporting blood, blood products, patient blood samples, medicines, medical equipment, and donated human milk to NHS hospitals, Air Ambulance Services, Hospices, Human Donor Milk Banks and vulnerable patients across the county.
You first @ is coming on the world's fastest zip line with you this summer!
— Zip World (@ZipWorldUK) August 18, 2023
🎟️ 👉 https://t.co/ufRTfW86xS pic.twitter.com/1mmPw7JKIj
Sid knows one of the group's founders and wanted to help out after the group became victims of catalytic converter thefts, resulting in repair costs that the group needed to continue to provide the vital service.
"I'm a bit of an idiot, I know, but at the same time, I feel it's for a good cause, and it's for one of our pals who started it [SERV Suffolk and Cambridgeshire]," added Sid.
Sid will not be alone on the zip wire as his friend Derek McPeak has agreed to join him on the 1.5-kilometre zip line.
Another of Sid's friends, Stuart Birt, will be watching in support, and he said: "He's a bit of a nutter, but it's good to know someone at that age who can still do stuff."
"And Derek said, 'If you're mad enough to do it, I'll come with you!'"
Derek has already raised around £1,000 through sponsor forms, and if you wish to donate online, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sidszipwirechallenge
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