BARCLAY’S staff are certainly up for a challenge of great proportions.

In order to raise funds for LV=Streetwise, 55 kind-hearted and fearless employees abseiled down Barclays House in Wimborne Road, Poole, yesterday.

Watched by the Mayor of Poole Cllr Graham Wilson who stayed safely on the ground, the stream of people taking turns from the top of the building raised gasps from the public who gathered round below.

First down was Craig Johnston, 26, who works in the firm’s reconciliation department, dressed in a ‘ninja’ costume after he won a staff raffle to decide who would take the plunge and set the example for the others.

He said: “It was great fun. As I was coming down the rope, people were waving at me from inside the building.”

Alison Shelton, LV= Streetwise Manager, said: “It’s amazing how many people have turned out today. We thought that maybe 20 to 30 people would do it but here we are today with 55.

“The total money raised should come to around £14,000 and with that money we can get around 1,000 more children into LV=Streetwise.

“Barclays have opened up the opportunities for fundraising events. It’s not just about raising money, but getting our message across. Every year, thousands of children are injured in preventable accidents in the home, on the roads and at play.

“It’s great to see something like this being done whilst raising money for charity.”

Firemen from Westbourne Fire and Rescue Service were also present and gave craned lifts on the fire engine’s platform to the enthusiastic employees.