Abseil for Wildlife!

You'll abseil to protect and restore Somerset's wildlife and wild places!

Over half of UK species have declined since 1970, while more than one in ten are under threat and at risk of disappearing altogether - we are in an ecological and climate emergency, and your support couldn’t come at a more critical time.

By getting sponsored, you’ll help us work towards our goal of at least 30% of land and sea managed for nature by 2030, and you’ll help us fight harder to achieve our vision of a Somerset wide Nature Recovery Network. This will create more space for wildlife and nature to thrive, it will reverse the decline in species diversity, and will create resilient landscapes and habitats for wildlife (and people), that can adapt to a warming climate.

Be the champion that Somerset's wildlife needs and secure your place today.

Minimum age is 9 and there is no upper age limit.

All abseilers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and our  parental consent form must be completed.

Your arrival time and 20 minute abseiling time slot will be assigned to you shortly after booking. Time slots will fall between 9:30am and 1:30pm. 

If you require a specific time slot, or you need to change it, please email fundraising@somersetwildlife.org 

Yes. Abseils take place regularly all over the county. Although this particular abseil is the only one where everyone is fundraising for Somerset Wildlife Trust, you may prefer to contact the organiser to join an abseil on different date or location. Contact Ian at Aardvarkendeavours on 07976 315121 or via the website www.aardvarkendeavours.com

You can still fundraise for Somerset Wildlife Trust by setting up a fundraising page www.justgiving.com/somersetwildlife 

Parking is available at Uphill Beach Carpark (pay and display), less than 5 minute walk to the abseil venue: 

Uphill Beach Carpark, Links Rd, Uphill, Weston-super-Mare BS23 4XY 

Please note there are no disabled bays. Please contact Kate at Somerset Wildlife Trust if this is required.

From the car park, walk inland along Links Road and follow the Somerset Wildlife Trust signs. Your meeting point is at the Somerset Wildlife Trust gazebo in the quarry, next to the Uphill Wharfe Cafe Bar. 

See you there!
 

We always recommend taking public transport where possible, and should the Covid situation allow. Busses run from Weston-super-Mare to Uphill School, approximately 5 minute walk from the abseil venue at Uphill Quarry. 

Bus timetable > 

There are public toilets about a 2 minute walk away. From the abseil venue, simply head towards the beach on Links Road.

There is a cafe on site.

Upon arrival, please head straight to the registration point to check in at the big Somerset Wildlife Trust gazebo. 

Once checked in, you may wish to leave personal items at the bag drop (keys/phone/wallet - anything that might fall out of your pockets!)

You'll be directed to a waiting area, ready to be called forward by your instructor for your safety brief and to be fitted with a harness and helmet. You will have a chance to do a “practise” abseil on the ground to ensure you are happy with the technique. 

You'll walk up the steep path to the very top of the hill where you'll be greeted by another instructor, who will attach you securely to the safety rope, will talk through what you're about to do, and will guide you to the edge.

Don't forget to smile for the camera!

You'll keep leaning back into the ropes, feeling your weight through your harness in your back and legs. Your controlling hand (usually the right) stays beside your hip at all times.

To stop - put your control hand and rope behind your bum.
To go - bring the hand to your hip and let the rope slide through gently.

Take a deep breath -  you'll step back, over the edge, being guided by your instructor, and you'll start your 130ft vertical abseil, down the cliff face to the bottom of the quarry, lowering yourself down, safe in the knowledge that your instructor has control of a second safety rope.  

Enjoy the view!

An instructor will greet you at the bottom, unhook you from the ropes, and you've done it - you've abseiled for wildlife!

Don't forget to smile for the camera at the bottom too!

Please ensure you bring the following with you on the day:

• your booking confirmation
• a hair bobble to tie back long hair
• comfortable clothing - anything "flappy" will need to be zipped up / tucked in.
• trainers are great for abseiling
• nothing in your pockets that may fall out - phone/keys/money  (there will be a bag drop off point if required)
• If you require any medication on the day, please bring it with you - especially asthma inhalers. There is a very steep footpath to the top.

Yes! Spectators are very welcome, the more the merrier.

The Abseil for Wildlife is suitable for complete beginners, even if you have never abseiled before. The staff that run it, are incredibly reassuring and will look after you well.

The way we do it means no, you can’t fall if you let go.

You will have two ropes attached to your harness so if you did let go (not a natural thing to do) the instructor who controls the safety rope would stop your fall before it went anywhere. However you are in control all the time you are holding a rope.

Take a look at the Wells Cathedral charity abseil that Aardvark Endeavours ran for SOS Africa: 

Watch video

Climbing, abseiling and other roped activities are risk sports.  Any personnel operating ropes will be controlled by the British Mountaineering Council under the “Single Pitch Award” scheme. Aardvark Endeavours are fully insured and have an excellent safety record which they intend to keep. However you are advised to take out a personal accident insurance policy to cover you in the unlikely event of an accident. Aardvark Endeavours and Somerset Wildlife Trust staff and representatives cannot be liable for loss or damage to personal belongings, injury or death during activities which do not result from our negligence.

There is a camp site immediately next to our abseiling venue, for caravans and motorhomes. It's a fantastic location but please note that they don't take tents.

https://www.uphillwharf.co.uk/ 

We think £130 is a good target to aim for, but there is no minimum sponsorship - every penny helps! If you are struggling, contact Kate who is always happy to share ideas and offer advice - fundraising@somersetwildlife.org  No matter how much you are able to raise, every penny helps us continue to protect our wildlife and wild places - thank you for your support.

No. Your registration fee covers the cost of your abseil, allowing all of the funds you raise to go to Somerset Wildlife Trust.

Thank you on behalf of all at Somerset Wildlife Trust for your interest in Abseiling for  Wildlife. 

If you have any questions, check our FAQs, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, please do get in touch.

Email: fundraising@somersetwildlife.org or call: 07549 031738