'Losing my friend so young was horrendously devastating' - Teenager prepares to take on courageous abseil challenge to raise funds for hospice
A superstar teenager who has spent years raising funds for a children's hospice in memory of her best friend who sadly died is taking on her next challenge - a daring charity abseil.
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Clara Powis, 16, from Ryton in Shrewsbury has raised more than £40,000 for Hope House Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices after her friend Maya, who was born with a life-threatening condition, passed away there in 2015.
Alongside her brother Charles and friend Abbi Williams, Clara will be taking on the Anglesey Abseil which is organised by the hospices on May 17.
In conjunction with Go Vertical, the daring abseil sees brave entrants climb the 115 steps to the top of the Anglesey Column tower before leaning back over the edge to descend the 89ft by rope.
Speaking on behalf of the trio, Clara’s mum, Lisa-Jayne Powis said: "Clara grew up with Maya and to lose a friend at such a young age is horrendously devastating.
"She has become an age now where she can do these sort of challenges and she has no fear at all."
Clara has raised thousands for the hospices in Oswestry and Conwy by holding events including classic car runs, numerous raffles, and party nights, and the 16-year-old has collected donations at Shrewsbury Folk Festival and Theatre Severn.
And, after her brother Charles recently did a skydive in aid of the hospices, he is well prepared to abseil from height.
"She has roped her older brother Charles and friend Abbi who is 16 to do it also," Clara's Mum Lisa-Jayne added. "We’ll all be going together as a family to support them and are really looking forward to it.
"Charles even did a skydive for Hope House a few years ago, so they’re both really adrenalin junkies."
The abseil takes entrants down the Anglesey Column - which opened in 1817 - situated on the picturesque banks of the Menai Starits, near the famous village of LlanfairPG.
The monument is dedicated to the Earl of Uxbridge following the Battle of Waterloo in which he lost a leg and was later made Marquees of Anglesey.
Alongside the abseil, Clara has an Easter quiz, summer fete and classic convoy planned for this year to raise further funds for Hope House Tŷ Gobaith.
Reflecting on her daughter’s journey so far, raising thousands for the hospices, Lisa-Jayne said: "As parents, Andrew and I feel insanely proud.
"To have that much grief at that young age we are also incredibly grateful that Clara was able to turn it round and say do positive things for the hospice who cared for Maya.
"She’s managed it so well."
