BUNGEE jumps and cage rides will be the focal point of a charity’s summer fun day taking place later this month.
Daredevils will be plunging from a cage hoisted 145ft into the air on a crane to raise money for Carlisle Mencap as the charity’s 50th anniversary celebrations come to a spectacular climax over the weekend of June 14-16. The events also mark the start of national Disability Week 2019.
The bungee jumps and fun day take place at Creighton Rugby Club in Sycamore Lane, Carlisle, on Sunday June 16 from 11am to 5pm. As well as the bungee jumps, the public can take a ride in the cage to the top of the crane – to admire the view but without having to do the jump!
The bungee jumps and the cage rides are being overseen by the Penrith-based company Extreme Sensations, who have been successfully organising bungee jumps throughout the UK and Europe for 26 years.
There will also be children’s attractions, stalls, refreshments and a licensed bar, and the charity – which provides support and services for more than 500 people with learning disabilities and their families across Cumbria – hopes the day will raise hundreds of pounds to help fund much-needed and vital facilities and activities.
Sheila Gregory, the CEO for Carlisle Mencap, said: “We are really grateful to those people who are doing a sponsored bungee jump – they are braver than I am! As well as, we hope, providing entertainment, these fun days and fundraising events have a serious side to them too because as overall funding for charities suffers in this day and age of cutbacks and austerity, every pound we can bring in ourselves and through the generosity of the Cumbrian public really matters.”
Phil Taylor, the events and fundraising officer for Carlisle Mencap, said the charity was only charging £5 a stand for the bungee jump/fun day and there were still a few spaces left. “This is our showcase fundraising event this year and we’re all excited about it,” he said. “We are also very grateful to Kingmoor Park Properties for helping towards the cost of staging the event. If you want to do a bungee jump we do have a small number of spaces still available, but you must get in touch as soon as possible!”
For more details about the bungee jumps and the fun day call Phil on 01228 674393 or email [email protected]
Admission to the event will be £3 for adults, £2 for under-16s and free to under-fives and Carlisle Mencap service users and support workers. Cage rides will be £5 and £3.
The night before, Saturday, June 15, Europe’s top Jimi Hendrix tribute act, Are You Experienced?, will be playing a fundraising gig for Carlisle Mencap at The Brickyard, Fisher Street, with support from Keswick-born singer J Lewis. Tickets in advance are £10 (plus £1 booking fee) from thebrickyardonline.com or seetickets.com with ticket also available on the door.
And the fundraising weekend gets underway on Friday, June 14 at 7.30pm with a general knowledge quiz at the Cumbrian Cheesecake Café in Infirmary Road, Carlisle. £2 per person payable on night but you must book a table in advance by calling 01228 558992.
