50 people take the plunge and abseil down Needhams Tower at Ely College for a school reunion with a difference organised by the Class of ‘83

Class of ’83 held an Abseil Event at Ely College on Saturday (March 25) to mark the year group's 50th birhdays.Under the professional guidance of Dave Talbot Adventures over 50 people abseiled off the roof ofNeedhams Tower. Pictured is Elain Pullar making her descent. (Image: Archant)

Ely College Class of ‘83 staged an abseil event with brave participants dropping down the side of the college’s Needhams Tower.

The event was held to mark the year group’s 50th birthdays and saw teams from Cambridgeshire Police, Little Miracles, Hilton Hotel Cambridge and the Ely and Littleport Responders join the former college studnets and their families.

Under the professional guidance of Dave Talbot Adventures the daring 50 took the plunge to descend the 60 feet drop.

Whilst the main event was the charity abseil which raised funds for both the First Responders and

Class of ’83 held an Abseil Event at Ely College on Saturday (March 25) to mark the year group's 50th birhdays.Under the professional guidance of Dave Talbot Adventures over 50 people abseiled off the roof ofNeedhams Tower. Pictured is Ian Cox making his descent. (Image: Archant)

Little Miracles, the organisers Ian Cox, Geoffrey Everett‚, Robert Skinner and Elaine Pullar also arranged for other activities to keep the whole family amused.

Outside there were bouncy castles together with a police patrol car and an ambulance accompanied by the First Responders, who did first aid displays during the day.

In the college hall there was a refreshments stall selling cakes made by Karen Everett. The tombola and raffle stalls manned by Jude Skinner and family members Gary and Bobbie-Leigh.

On stage there was entertainment by The MRD Band, a local trio and The Rocking Ukuleles of Ely.

Class of ’83 held an Abseil Event at Ely College on Saturday (March 25) to mark the year group's 50th birhdays.Under the professional guidance of Dave Talbot Adventures over 50 people abseiled off the roof ofNeedhams Tower. Pictured is Robert Skinner making his decent. (Image: Archant)

The evening party at The Beet Club had former students reminiscing into the night as they dug deep to raise funds with a live auction by Rob Skinner, which included: prizes donated by

Dew’s Coaches of Somersham and The Townhouse pub. This will enable the group to have a permanent memorial, a bench sited at the school, in memory of those classmates who sadly did not make it to

50.

Sponsorship money is now coming in, and but there is no final figure yet, but the group hope to make a difference to the two charities.

The class of ‘78 from the City of Ely College will abseil down their old school building - the soon to be demolished Needham’s Tower – to raise money for charity this Saturday, March 25. (Image: Archant)

Ian said: “We would like to thank the following who contributed to making the day a huge success. Thank you to Dave Talbot Adventures and Ely College for allowing us to use Needhams Tower.

“A huge thank you to those who donated to the raffle and tombola especially Dew’s Coaches of

Somersham, Ian Cox Carpets, P J Lee & Sons, The Townhouse, City Cycle Centre, Waitrose and

Wilkinsons of Ely.

“We would also like to thank Matthew, Richard and Dave of The MRD Band, The Rocking Ukuleles of Ely and Dave Newman’s Disco in the evening.

“Thanks to Jude and Karen for organising the raffle, tombola and refreshments and the “behind the scene” jobs in the run up to the event.

“Special thanks to Pat, Albert, Mavis, Gary and Bobbie-Leigh plus Elaine and Lynne for the fabulous evening catering and the hire of the Beet Club. Finally to Batman and Robin for making an appearance. Thank you to all those who sponsored – your generosity has been amazing.”