TAKE the Charter House abseil challenge and you will not only be going down the building but also in history as one of the last to undertake the dare-devil feat at the site.

There are plans to turn the nine-storey Charter House into flats marking the end of its current existence as offices and preventing further use of the building as a place to test your nerves.

The Kentonline supported Kent Charity Challenge abseil will be staged on Saturday, July 19. To take part you need to raise a minimum of £75 in sponsorship. All money raised will be divided between two great causes, the children’s road safety charity KM Walking Bus and the Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent.

By taking the challenge you will be able to see Ashford as you have never seen it before with panoramic views of the town’s landmark buildings including the Julie Rose Stadium, the Designer Outlet and International Station.

Charter House was built in 1974, originally to house the offices of South African mining company Charter Consolidated and became a landmark in the town. Fortunes were mixed for the building but at one time it was home to some big-name companies including Girobank, Alliance and Leicester and ferry operator Sealink. It currently houses the offices of Ashford Future.

To mark the last abseil event at Charter House it is also hoped to break a record and create the biggest-ever abseil event ever held there. More than £20,000 needs to be raised to set a new record, but if three ropes are used there will be space for up to 200 people with a spirit of adventure and nerves of steel, which would be almost double the biggest abseil ever staged there

Sponsors are needed to ensure that this event is a winner for the charities concerned. It costs £650 to sponsor an abseil rope and firms that want to take part in this historic abseil should call Simon Dolby on 07989 164752.

Clive Pery of Specsavers, Ashford, has agreed to support the event by sponsoring a rope because he is a passionate supporter of the Walking Bus and Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent.

“I am delighted to support this important event and really hope the public sign up in large numbers to make this abseil here a recdord one,” Mr Perry said.

To enter the abseil event simply apply online at www.kentcharitychallenge.co.uk