Electricity linesmen scale the heights for Children in Need

This year’s Children in Need will be driving two Western Power Distribution (WPD) colleagues up the pole, quite literally, on Wednesday November 7th, 2012

For electricity linesmen Jason Bray and Mike Clement plan a David Blaine style vertigo challenge – climbing to the top of a 14-metre pole and staying there for 48 hours – in a bid to raise £3000 for the charity.

The pole has been erected outside WPD’s Swansea Area office at Ffynnon Menter, Phoenix Way on the Swansea Enterprise Park, and stands a couple of metres higher than the building.

Jason and Mike will begin their climb at 7pm on Wednesday November 7^thand will stay put until 7pm on Friday the 9^th.

Explained Jason: “I’ve done a number of charity fund-raising events for Children in Need over the years, like long-distance walks.

“In 2003 Mike and I stayed up a pole for 24 hours – this time we want to stay twice as long. We know it’s a big challenge for us, but it’s worth it for such a good cause, and we hope to raise lots of cash for the charity.

“People have said we must be crazy to put ourselves through this challenge, but it’s a perfect fund-raising opportunity, and we wanted to tackle something that was in some way connected with our work.”

Safety has been a key element in preparing for the stunt and both men will be double harnessed to the pole.

“We’ll be well wrapped up against the elements, and we’ll also be able to have food passed up to us, so we shouldn’t starve. A couple of our colleagues have agreed to stay in the office overnight so that we’ll have some support.

“We’ve also been advised to eat plenty of eggs beforehand, which apparently should stop us from needing to use the toilet during the challenge,” said Jason.