On 27 June, Carol and Charles Diaper, aged 63 and 61, of St. George’s Cross, will climb the inside of one of the iconic Kelpies before abseiling down the 30-metre-high structures.
Carol and Charles are no strangers to adventure. Carol, a professional trumpeter, and Charles, a retired NHS surgeon – who is now a student at the Glasgow School of Art – are both PADI Rescue Divers, with Carol having completed her 500th dive in Fiji last year. Passionate about supporting good causes, Carol often directs her love of new experiences into charity fundraising. She has abseiled, zip wired, fire walked, freefall parachuted from 16,000ft, trekked to the Everest basecamp and completed a 500km cycle ride in China, fundraising more than £50,000 for charities.
The couple also have several links to the Armed Forces, including Charles’ uncle who served in the RAF as a Group Captain and Commandant of the now-closed Headley Court rehabilitation hospital, and a friend who is an engineer in the Royal Navy. Seeing the impact their family and friends have made has inspired Carol and Charles to focus their next fundraising effort on supporting the Armed Forces community.
Carol commented,
“We both feel passionate about supporting the people who serve in the Armed Forces, both home and abroad. SSAFA does such good work with serving personnel, veterans and their families, so when we saw the Kelpie event, we thought this was the perfect way of challenging ourselves whilst also raising vital funds for the charity.”
SSAFA’s Kelpie Experience is a guided aerial exploration of the world’s largest equine sculptures, and will see a group take an exhilarating climb to the horse’s mouth via a network of cables, ladders and suspended platforms. Then, people can either descend with a free hanging abseil or a breathtaking “Quick Flight” rope drop.
Suitable for families, schools and children (aged ten and up, under 17s must be accompanied by an adult), the climb lasts 90 minutes. Safety is paramount, and all participants will be securely connected to a safety cable at all times. Professional guides are there at every step, and abseil, along the way.
Carol added,
“To anyone thinking about doing the challenge, I would say, just be brave! It’s an amazing feeling to challenge yourself both physically and mentally. I know we’ll both be a bit nervous from the heights, but that’s what all the safety systems and guides are for. The best feeling is knowing that all the money raised will go towards people who serve our country.”
SSAFA has been working for the whole UK Armed Forces community for 140 years, since 1885. Its mission is simple: to reach and embrace the Armed Forces family, so they never battle alone.
The Kelpies Experience will take place on two dates, the 21 June and during Armed Forces Week on the 27 June. Individual registration is £50, and families of four (two adults and two children) can register for £70, with a fundraising target of £250. For more information about SSAFA’s Kelpies Experience, and to register, visit: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us/events/challenge/the-kelpie-experience-2025/
To support Carol and Charles’ fundraising efforts, visit: https://community.ssafa.org.uk/pf/carol-diaper
