BT Tower / Sport Relief

The Great BT Tower Abseil

On 10 March 2014, Control Descent helped 30 participants take on the extraordinary challenge of abseiling 31 storeys — 148m — down London's iconic BT Tower.

The event raised funds for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund and Sport Relief, and formed part of the Royal Marines' 350th anniversary celebrations, known as RM350. It also supported Sport Relief's wider fundraising campaign taking place throughout March 2014.

Each participant was required to raise funds to take part in the once-in-a-lifetime experience, combining an extraordinary descent from one of London's most recognisable landmarks with two major charitable causes.

A 148m descent from the BT Tower, 31 storeys above London, in support of the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund and Sport Relief.

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Testimonial

"Brian Hayes was the Royal Marine Major in charge of delivering the BT Tower abseil event in 2014. Brian’s expertise in this field was clear from the off and I was very impressed by how thorough he was in his planning and his attention to detail to ensure safety and security at all times. He ensured everyone underwent several hours of abseil training as a requirement before being allowed to take part in the event.

Brian gathered all the information required to assess the venue personally and worked very well with our team of BT Tower riggers and other staff who were familiar with the intricacies of this unique building.

Brian was extremely helpful in terms of considering all the ‘surround sound’ aspects of the event that were important to me as the client, such as accommodating media and enabling us to capture content for social media use. His approach was firm yet flexible, and he was happy to provide solutions for me that worked within the boundaries of keeping everyone safe.

He was also very good at reassuring the abseilers as they were about to step off at the top, and they all knew that the route down and all the equipment had been tested several times, checked and re-checked.

Brian’s manner is very calm and this combined with his wealth of experience and attention to detail means I would recommend him to anyone considering organising an abseil event of a similar nature".

Caroline Roques
Senior PR & Corporate Relations Manager
BT

TV presenter Helen Skelton smiling during the BT Tower charity abseil event rigged with professional Petzl safety equipment by Control Descent.

Helen Skelton about to abseil down the BT Tower.

All of our operators are qualified Rope Access Supervisors in accordance with BS7985/ISO 22846-2

Link to Control Descent portfolio detailing the RM350 BT Tower 148m charity abseil project.

Each participant was asked to raise funds to take part in this ‘once in a lifetime’ experience

A participant conducting a 148m abseil from the BT Tower ledge under safety supervision by Control Descent for the RM350 event.

Abseiling down the iconic BT Tower