What Drove an 83-Year-Old Great-Grandmother to Tackle a 60mph Zipline for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity?

Imagine standing at the top of a massive quarry, with the wind whipping around you. Now imagine you're 83 years old, you're a great-grandmother, and you're absolutely terrified of heights. Most people would probably head back down for a nice cup of tea.

But not Alys Allardyce. On 2nd Nov 2025, the President of the Rotary Club of Ripon strapped herself into a harness and launched herself down one of Europe's fastest ziplines. Her mission? To complete an incredible challenge and raise vital funds for a charity that means the world to her: the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Facing the fear: heights and adrenaline

Let's be clear, this wasn't just any old zipline. This was the Titan Zip World challenge in North Wales. It's a proper adrenaline-pumping experience, stretching over 1,000 metres and hitting speeds of over 60mph. For Alys, who openly admits that heights are her "idea of a nightmare," this was a huge personal battle. But her dedication to her chosen charity pushed her to face that fear head-on.

It wasn't just one zipline either; the challenge involved tackling two separate lines suspended high above the historic Llechwedd quarry. Alys Allardyce joined 15 others, all ready for the same breathtaking experience, but her story stands out. An 83-year-old great-grandmother taking on such an intense adrenaline challenge isn't something you hear about every day. The sheer bravery it took to even get to the top of that quarry is something special, let alone to fly across it.

A cause close to her heart

So, what gives someone the motivation to do something so far outside their comfort zone? For Alys, the reason was deeply personal. Around two years ago, she had a fall at home. When a friend grew concerned that it might be serious, they called for help, and it was the Yorkshire Air Ambulance crew that arrived. Alys experienced their care and compassion first-hand.

That day left a lasting impression, showing her just how vital their service is. When you see that famous yellow helicopter, you know someone is in real trouble. The crew provides a level of emergency care that can make all the difference, reaching people in remote areas or getting patients to hospital at incredible speed. It's a service you hope you'll never need, but for Alys, having that expert care when she was vulnerable cemented her desire to give something back. This personal experience is what fuelled her incredible fundraising journey.

The power of community support

As the President of the Rotary Club of Ripon, Alys is part of an organisation built on community spirit and charitable work. She has been a member for about 10 years, constantly inspired by the club's dedication to supporting good causes.

The Ripon club already has a strong connection with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, holding an annual cycle ride to raise money for them. Alys's presidency is a continuation of that fantastic tradition of support. And the support for her zipline challenge has been nothing short of amazing. Her initial fundraising target was £1,000, a goal she completely smashed. The fundraising total currently stands at an incredible £2,100, and that's before Gift Aid is even added.

• JustGiving Donations: £1,095
• Additional Sponsorships: £1,005

What's truly heartwarming is where the support came from. More than 40 people from all over the globe chipped in. Donations arrived from England, Scotland, Germany, America, and even Australia. While people in other countries might look to the Australian Government for support schemes, the story of this great-grandmother's courage inspired people thousands of miles away to support a local UK charity. It just shows how a story of bravery and dedication can resonate with everyone, everywhere.

An incredible experience and a vital service

Reflecting on her amazing zipline experience, Alys shared her feelings about the day. "This was a huge challenge for me as I'm absolutely terrified of heights, but I'm so glad I did it for such a great cause," she said. "Standing at the top of the quarry was terrifying, but I knew I was doing it for something truly worthwhile." That feeling of terror turning into triumph is a powerful one, especially when it's all for a charity that provides such vital care. Alys was absolutely delighted to have raised so much money.

She added,

"Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an incredible charity that helps so many people across our region every single day, and having experienced their care myself, I know just how important their work is. I'm delighted to have raised these funds to support their vital missions and to give something back to a service that means so much to me and so many others".

The funds raised by Alys Allardyce will go directly towards keeping the air ambulance flying and saving lives, a testament to what one great-grandmother with a lot of heart and a disregard for her fear of heights can achieve.