A mum who abseiled down the i360 in memory of her son says she knows he would have found the nail-biting challenge amusing.
Michelle Tipper’s son Connor Price died at the age of 18 after complications with type one diabetes while at university.
After Connor's death in April 2019, Michelle, from Handcross, decided to raise money for the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation in his memory.
Connor, who was Michelle’s only child, was a "truly passionate" aspiring football coach and was part of the foundation’s further education programme.
Since 2019, the 50-year-old senior loss adjustor has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the BHAFC Foundation by hosting fundraising events, selling raffle tickets and running in the Brighton Marathon 10K.
“Initially, when Connor passed away, we asked for people to donate to the foundation instead of giving flowers,” she said.
“We wanted to do something that made a tangible difference and I knew that Connor loved studying with the foundation.
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“It was important to me to do something that made a difference, as I knew that Connor was passionate about the power football has to change lives in the local community.
“I just became so passionate about this fundraising journey and wanted to continue, with so much support from friends, family, and even strangers.
“As part of my fundraising I ran a 10k, despite the fact I hate running, in memory of a time that me and Connor both ran in aid of Diabetes UK.
“I chose to abseil down the i360 as this is an iconic Brighton landmark and hopefully people will see us and wonder what’s going on.”
Michelle abseiled with her friend of 30 years Rona down the Brighton landmark. During Connor’s last holiday he stayed with Rona and her family in Spain.
Before the challenge, Michelle said she was nervous but said she knew Connor would find the mission funny.
“It motivates me to know how amusing Connor would find it, seeing his mum and Rona abseil down the i360," she said.
Michelle has so far raised £2,300 with the abseil and over £25,000 since 2019.
People can still donate to Michelle's fundraiser at www.justgiving.com/page/michelletipper-abseil
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