The day The Lady leapt

MATT WARREN

‘So, I’m not just going to hurtle to the ground then?’ As potential last words go, they seemed a little cowardly. But as I looked over the edge of the platform, to the station and my supporters 100 feet below, it seemed like the obvious question to ask before I launched myself off the edge.

‘Trust me,’ said the Royal Marine with me at the top. ‘You’re in safe hands.’

And to be honest, I never doubted him. The Royal Marines have to deal with far bigger problems than ensuring the safety of a lady’s magazine editor – even if it is during a hair-raising, fast rope abseil from the roof of a famous London landmark.

In fact, with a Royal Marine at my back, stepping off the platform and into the void was surprisingly easy. The cheers helped, and the pink tutu I was wearing to raise extra funds added a fl icker of welcome comedy.

And then down I went, trying to remember the instructions: extend your right arm to go faster, tuck it into your bottom to slow down. Seven seconds later, it was all over: an exhilarating ride I will never forget.

Especially after I’d watched Sally, who won The Lady competition to join me, follow me down the rope. She was the fastest, slickest abseiler of the lot. I think even a few of the Royal Marines blanched with envy at her skills.

As 40 Commando Royal Marines prepare to return to Afghanistan, the Corps needs our help more than ever. And the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund is there to provide it.

Last week, the Royal Marines saved my life – let’s all now do our bit to improve theirs.

SALLY MUNN

There was no going back. The day had arrived when I was to be trussed up in a harness and expected to leap from the rafters of St Pancras for charity. I am not in the first flush of youth, so I should have known better than to enter the competition in The Lady. However, here I was, surrounded by others who had volunteered. There was Charlie, a hairdresser from Brighton, 71-year-old Di from Norfolk, full of fun, and there was Matt, the editor of The Lady – dressed in a pink tutu. No comment. We were all abseiling for the Commando Spirit appeal for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund, a charity that raises money for injured Royal Marines and their families. What struck me first was how young and handsome the Marines were in their uniforms. All had seen active service and as they literally showed us the ropes, they went about their business with a quiet professionalism.

The cradle slowly ascended to the roof where, 100 feet above the ground, the Royal Marine with me checked the equipment and said I could go. I asked him to repeat the instructions from the practice session. At my age, half the time I cannot remember my name, let alone something said earlier that day! Patiently, he did so – and then I was flying.

This was fast rope abseiling, the method you’d use to descend from a helicopter. And it was tremendous. The Royal Marine on the ground asked for a high five. I returned it. ‘Well done!’ he told me.

Fifteen friends and relatives had come to support me, many from London. My sister, Jane, and family came from Buckinghamshire, Carole from Wiltshire, Poppy from Hampshire and my younger son, Jamie, was filming it all.

We moved outside the station and my neighbour, Theresa, produced a bottle of champagne and we toasted the day’s accomplishments with much fun and laughter. We then discussed plans for our next event to achieve my £10,000 Commando Spirit personal target. We drank more champagne, talked to other participants and then came the presentation of certifi cates. I was the one who had the most vocal support – although I’m sure Matt would beg to differ.

The Royal Marines deserve our support. They exude professionalism and I was so proud to have been given this opportunity. So thank you to Sally-Anne Hunter of Commando Spirit for making it happen; thank you to The Lady for giving me the opportunity to prove myself – and thank you to the Royal Marines for making me feel on top of the world.

To support the charity, send a cheque made out to the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund to The Lady at the address on page 5, or donate online at www.justgiving/sally-munn or www.justgiving/matt-warren0