Daredevil duo abseil from Falkirk Wheel to raise vital funds for Erskine Veterans Charity

A fearless 77-year-old gran and a former police officer have taken on one of Scotland’s wildest charity challenges—abseiling 100ft from the Falkirk Wheel to raise funds for Erskine Veterans Charity.

Sandie Gray, 77, from Glasgow, and Gillian Reddiex, 48, from Blantyre, strapped in and stepped off the Wheel on Saturday, March 15^th – raising over £500.

Sandie has been backing the charity for decades, inspired by her family’s military roots. Her grandfather served in the Highland Light Infantry, and her father was in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Her commitment to Erskine has been unwavering, even in the face of personal tragedy as while volunteering for the charity, she suffered the devastating loss of her son, Duncan, an Army veteran who had served in Kosovo.

In a poignant tribute, a number of veterans attended his funeral to honour his service and pay their respects.

Sandie has thrown herself headfirst into fundraisers, and despite being in her late 70s, she isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon. She had already conquered an abseil from Forth Road Bridge and Titan Crane, before adding the Falkirk Wheel to her list of daredevil adventures.

Gillian, a highly experienced nurse, initially transitioned to a career in policing before recently returning to her first love of nursing. After caring for a relative, she has now returned to nursing this time at Erskine, where she is already making a significant impact—not only in patient care but also in the charity’s fundraising efforts. She comes from a family with a proud tradition of military service, including her father, brother, uncle, and even her great-aunt—who served as an outrider for Winston Churchill.

Gillian took on the Falkirk Wheel Abseil as a tribute to those who never got the chance to fulfil their own dreams. She’s no stranger to a challenge—having already run the Edinburgh Marathon and signed up for this year’s Kiltwalk.

Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, Chief Executive at Erskine, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Sandie, Gillian, and all those who took on the Falkirk Wheel Abseil to support our Veterans. Their bravery and dedication help ensure that Erskine can continue providing the highest level of care to those who have served our country. Every penny raised makes a real difference in the lives of our Veterans, and we couldn’t do it without the support of amazing fundraisers like them."

To donate to Erskine please visit – www.erskine.org.uk/donate

For further information please contact Susan Hamilton, Communications Officer, on 0141 814 4719 or email susan.hamilton@erskine.org.uk

To find out more about Erskine’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @ErskineCharity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity.