Diary comes to you this week confused by the current weather.
If you recall, this columnist was getting ready to don knitted jumpers and jump onto crunchy leaves in a playful yet Instagrammable way.
This has been sabotaged by global warming, which has given the UK a heatwave in September and forced the sight of Diary’s pale legs onto unsuspecting strangers.
At the same time, a terror suspect has escaped from Wandsworth prison in a fashion similar to Paddington bear: dressed as a chef and underneath a food delivery truck, apparently.
The world’s most expensive coin has been made in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II, with its worth estimated around £23m. Diary would very much like one, but doubts they will be in supermarket tills anytime soon.
Elsewhere, the education secretary was caught effing and jeffing on camera and the charity sector has yet another new shadow minister.
To distract you from the chaos, let’s have a gallivant into some of the things occuring in charity land this week.
102-year-old war veteran to abseil down a hospital
On 14 September, Colin Bell, a 102-year-old war veteran, chose something special to do in his retirement - abseil down the 17 storeys of Royal London Hospital.
He is set to become the oldest participant ever (so any 103-year-olds looking to take part, back off. This is Colin's moment).
The retired flight lieutenant flew 50 operations over wartime Germany. Money raised by his stint will go to the Royal College of Nursing Foundation, London Air Ambulance and RAF Benevolent Fund. He has raised over £9,000 altogether for the charities so far.
Wing-walking for 86-year-old
If Colin wasn't impressive enough, the 86-years-young fundraiser Audrey Harris will be wing-walking for the charity Fitzroy, which supports people with learning disabilities.
If you are unfamiliar with what wing-walking is - it is the altogether unpleasant-sounding experience of being strapped to a helicopter's wings as it soars through the air.
Audrey has raised £2,576 so far for Fitzroy and is set to take her wing-walking adventure on 20 September.
World’s first skyscraper challenge
In further high-octaine fundraising news, baby charity Tommy's has created a world-first skyscraper challenge to raise funds for its work.
The event involves a tower run up 42 floors (1,096 steps) of the Cheesegrater - but if that wasn’t enough, participants must also abseil down the building or zipwire from the roof to the Gherkin.
Zipwire all the way for Diary - that seems the least effort and that you could close your eyes the whole time.
Charities selected by the king
Suffering from a summer cold? Blow your nose like the king, with this season’s must-have royal hankies.
The Actors’ Benevolent Fund and the Musicians Benevolent Fund have been selected by King Charles III to benefit from the sale of a limited-edition commemorative pocket square produced by Hackett.
Inspired by the King’s coronation collection, it features the monarch’s sigil, copious Union jacks, and the date of His Maj’s coronation.
There are only 2023 that have been created by Hackett and are priced at £74 each. All of the profits will be donated to the two charities.
Related articles
