By Duncan Bick

Last updated at 17:26, Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Youngsters slid down one of Carlisle’s tallest buildings to help fund a trip to one of the world’s most mountainous countries.

Kyle Botha abseils down the Civic Centre

The pupils, from Richard Rose Central Academy, abseiled down the 135ft high Civic Centre to raise cash so they can take part in a project in Nepal.

A total of 15 students, plus six staff, made the journey on Sunday and one of the first to take the leap was Kyle Bowtha, 14, of Harraby.

The heavy wind meant he lost his footing on the way down but he was still pleased with how the abseil went.

“It was quite scary but I didn’t really think about it,” he said.

Waiting for him on the ground was his dad Charel , 50, who was extremely proud of his son.

And when asked if he would do it himself, he replied: “Hell no.”

Another man who made the journey was Jonathan Mason, 36, a science teacher at the school. He said: “I wanted to do something for the kids I teach.”

A total of 12 students and two staff want to head to Asia to take part in the Nepal World Challenge Poon Hill Trek next October.

This will see them travel into the foothills of the Himalayas, at heights of more than 16,000ft above sea level for six days.

They will then work in schools in Nepal for four days.

To go they each have to raise £2,098. Before this weekend, they had raised £12,000 collectively, with another £10,000 to go.

They have not yet counted the cash raised from the abseil.

First published at 17:20, Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk