TIRELESS fundraiser Jamie Cole tackled a 450-foot abseil on his way to raising thousands of pounds for charity - and now the teenager has become the final Kids Are Alright Challenge 2011 nomination.

The 17-year-old, from Whittlesey, has completed sponsored stunts and spent hours volunteering for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Sue Ryder Care.

He has worked as a sound technician for both charities and recently took his fundraising to a new level - abseiling down Guy’s Hospital Tower in London to raise almost �400.

The Sir Harry Smith Community College sixth-form student said: “The tower was 450 feet high and they didn’t actually lock me on until I was the other side of the railings. It was a bit nerve-wracking but a great day.

“They are causes that are close to my heart. With these charities, you really see the people you’re helping first hand and most of them are very inspiring.

“I have met some of the people that get help and they’re very optimistic. It sounds a bit cliche, but it does make you think. It’s just about taking a couple of hours out of your weekend to do something for charity.”

Jamie is the Minute and Press Secretary for the St Ives branch of the BHF and has also dressed as the charity’s mascot at a series of events.

His fundraising efforts - which have stretched across the last five years - saw him rewarded with a community achievement award at the Whittlesey Citizen of the Year competition in April.

Jonathan Digby, Principal at Sir Harry Smith, said: “We’re proud to have students such as Jamie as part of our school community and are happy to nominate him for this award.”

• Jamie is the final nominee in this year’s contest. He joins Elli Hayward-Love, the young leaders of Fenland Arts Youth Theatre and Chatteris Under-11 Girls football team in contention for the monthly prize. The winner will be announced next week.

All of the Kids Are Alright Challenge 2011 nominees will then be vying for the overall prize at the grand final to be held at the Boathouse in Wisbech on July 4.