Our Head of Ops Rachel shares her experience of last year's Forth Rail Bridge abseil...

"I did some rock climbing as a teenager, so thought that an abseil off the Forth Rail Bridge would be a wee challenge, but nothing too difficult. I have always enjoyed doing challenges for charity, from mini-marathons to parachute jumps. All in a day's work, I thought. Ha! 

Whilst I'm usually fine when it comes to heights, I am not a fan of bridges that wobble. I know they're supposed to, but I still don't like it. I had just not considered that when trains go over the rail bridge, it moves. You don't feel it when you are on the train. When you are in single file, walking towards the part of the bridge you are about to jump off, and a train goes over? Boy, do you feel it. 

However, the Rotary Club volunteers and abseil safety guys who helped us and showed us what to do were simply fantastic; we couldn't have done it without them. They were professional and kind, and just what we needed to get ourselves over the side. 

The abseil itself was terrifying, and exhilarating, and wonderful. 

Some of us found it harder than others, but we got together as a team, and helped each other out. Some of the people abseiling with me were friends and colleagues, but others I had not met before that morning. 

I am so proud of us all, and delighted to have raised funds for The Yard. It is an organisation whose work I feel passionate about, and I would strongly recommend this exhilarating challenge to support their work."

If you are interested in taking on this epic challenge for The Yard, click here to find out more about the Forth Rail Bridge abseil on 1 July 2018.