DAREDEVIL gran Margaret Carmichael doesn’t believe in putting her feet up – even though she is 93.
With grit and determination, she abseiled down the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
“I felt wonderful once I got my leg over the top,” said Margaret, from Knutsford.
“It was extra special to have my daughter and granddaughter doing it right there with me.
“Heights don’t bother me at all.
“I saw someone abseil down Chester Cathedral.
“I happened to mention to the family that it would be a nice thing to do, never dreaming that I’d ever do it.”
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Even when the rope sent her in a spin, she stayed calm.
“I was dangling round and round half way down when I got stuck in one of the gaps,” said Margaret.
“One of the girls came flying down and freed me.
“I was encouraged all the way, there was a lot of clapping and cheering.
“I had so much help, they couldn’t do enough for me. I have so much I want to thank everyone for.”
With granddaughter Kate, 35 and daughter Helen, 67, the trio raised £2,500 for Man City’s charity, City in the Community.
Money donated by 150 brave abseilers will secure the future of their mental health programme, City Thrive.
Sam Dainty, senior fundraising and partnership manager, said: “Not only did people push their minds and bodies to the limit, they also did it whilst raising thousands of pounds to support young people in Manchester.
“We’d like to thank everyone who took part or donated.”
Edinburgh-born Margaret moved to Knutsford 70 years ago, after she married her late husband John.
After working hard all her life, she is always up for a challenge.
To celebrate her 90th birthday, she enjoyed a hot air balloon ride over the South Lakes.
“It was exhilarating,” said Margaret. “I love the countryside. It was so calm and relaxing and we were treated to champagne when we came down.”
The intrepid adventurer then tackled the world’s fastest and longest zip wire line at Zip World Velocity 2 North Wales.
Soaring over Penrhyn Quarry at 100mph, she had stunning views of Snowdonia.
“I’d go back and do that again any day,” said Margaret, who says she has been dubbed an ‘adrenaline junkie’ by family and friends.
“If you don’t keep going, you’re going to go down.
“When you paddle your own canoe, you’ve got to get on.
“I do all my own cooking and baking and walk into Knutsford twice a week, a good half mile.”
Margaret enjoys making ginger biscuits using her grandfather’s cousin’s recipe.
“I am just absolutely blessed,” she said. “Faith plays a big part in my life.”
Daughter Helen Higginbottom said: “She is remarkably independent.
“She bakes every day. If anyone asks, she will make lemon curd or bake a cake for them.
“She is an independent, strong minded woman. My dad was a farmer and they worked on farms around Knutsford.
“She has had a hard, physical life. I’m am really proud of her.
“She’s marvellous, such a treasure.”
To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/bemoremargaret
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