Daring TO DO

Lesley Williams has always loved the thrill of an adrenaline rush, and now, at nearly 80, she has no plans to stop any time soon

- KATE CHAPMAN

She's about to enter her ninth decade, but age is no barrier for daredevil Lesley Williams, who loves the thrill of a physical challenge, and has abseiled, wing-walked and cycled for charity.

Former headteacher Lesley, 79, of Cowley, Oxfordshire, has taken on the 80ft tower of the central Oxford St Mary Magdalen Church several times, and Dorchester on Thames Abbey's 100-ft tower too.

Last summer she zip-wired over the Niagara Falls and has climbed the Cutty Sark's rigging. This year, to mark her 80th birthday, Lesley plans to cycle 80 miles and is contemplating taking on her biggest abseil yet - Spinnaker Tower, in Portsmouth Harbour. Both challenges are in aid of three charities.

Lesley, who still works a few hours each week for a group of schools, says these adventurous feats, along with her numerous other roles, including netball umpire, school governor and twice-weekly delivery of free meals to families on her bike - all help to keep her young at heart.

'I love abseiling and dangling on a rope - you're perfectly safe,' she smiles. 'You just climb up, and then probably the worst bit is getting over the edge and settling your feet in place. I just bounce off and do a star jump backwards! I do like the adrenaline rush. That's the thing about growing up with three brothers - I've been climbing trees and riding bikes since I can remember. I have no problem with heights. I'd love to do a higher abseil, so the tower in Portsmouth might have to be the one!'

Lesley grew up in a Christian family in north London and was encouraged to help those less fortunate. She was involved in activities including Guiding, Scouting and church jumble sales.