83-year-old great-grandmother Alys Allardyce, President of the Rotary Club of Ripon, has completed one of Europe’s fastest zip lines to raise funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Taking on the Titan Zip World challenge in North Wales, Alys faced the 1,080-metre course that reaches speeds of over 60mph to support the charity she has chosen as her President’s charity of the year.
Despite describing heights as her “idea of a nightmare,” she completed not one but two zip lines suspended high above the Llechwedd quarry, alongside 15 other participants.
Her efforts have raised £2,100 so far, surpassing her £1,000 goal, with donations coming from over 40 supporters across the world including Australia, America, Germany, Scotland and England.
Alys chose Yorkshire Air Ambulance after experiencing the charity’s help firsthand when she suffered a fall at home two years ago.
A friend, fearing she had suffered a stroke, called for assistance, and the air ambulance team attended to assess her. Their care and professionalism left a lasting impression.
She said,
“This was a huge challenge for me as I’m absolutely terrified of heights, but I’m so glad I did it for such a great cause.
"Standing at the top of the quarry was terrifying, but I knew I was doing it for something truly worthwhile.
"Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an incredible charity that helps so many people across our region every single day, and having experienced their care myself, I know just how important their work is.
"I’m delighted to have raised these funds to support their vital missions and to give something back to a service that means so much to me and so many others.”
Alys has been a member of the Rotary Club of Ripon for around 10 years and continues to be inspired by the organisation’s commitment to supporting good causes locally and internationally.
Outside her Rotary work, Alys remains active in both local and international communities.
She is a member of the United Reformed Church in Harrogate and has volunteered with Girlguiding for more than 50 years in both the UK and Germany.
She currently serves as Vice-President of an international committee at a Girlguiding World Centre in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and supports VAMOS, a charity providing food, education and healthcare to families across 10 centres in the city.
Jane Horrod, North Yorkshire Community Fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said:
"Alys is such an inspiration, showing that it’s never too late to take on a challenge and make a difference.
"We’re so grateful for her incredible bravery and commitment, not just for the zipline, but for everything she’s done as Ripon Rotary President to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance throughout the year.
"The funds she has raised will directly help us continue saving lives across the region.”
More information about Yorkshire Air Ambulance and how to support its work can be found at www.yaa.org.uk.
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