Kirsty Pegg

So naturally, I decided to ignore all of that training and abseil down a very tall building!!

For charity.

Specifically, I’m abseiling to raise money for TOPAS ward fund (CNWL NHS Health Charity). This is a charity that does extraordinary work supporting older people facing some of the toughest moments of their lives. When I was asked to help raise funds, I thought deeply about the most sensible, emotionally regulated response.

Then I signed up to dangle off the side of a building by a rope.

A Brief Psychological Case Study: Me, On a Ledge

From a professional standpoint, this abseil is a fascinating experiment in human behaviour.

Anticipated thoughts:
“I’m sure this will be fine.”
“People do this all the time.”

Actual thoughts (predicted):
“Why can I see the ground?”
“My legs have stopped working.”
“I should have taken up baking for charity.”

“Where can I buy fresh pants?” 

As a psychologist, I often tell people that fear is not dangerous—it’s just uncomfortable. Apparently, I felt the need to really commit to that message by experiencing it 200 feet in the air.

Why I’m Doing This (Besides Questionable Life Choices)

Jokes aside, TOPAS supports people and families dealing with various mental health difficulties, loss, and life-changing diagnoses such as dementia. The kind of situations where compassion, expertise, and proper support make an enormous difference.

If my temporary terror, sweaty palms, and bruised dignity can help raise money for that work, then it’s absolutely worth it. Money raised will go towards things such as therapeutic day trips, exercise equipment, sensory equipment, interactive games - all designed to promote wellbeing, and improve quality of life. 

How You Can Help (Without Abseiling Yourself)

You can:

• Donate (every pound helps—truly)
• Share this post
• Laugh with me, not at me (although both are acceptable)

Your support means that when I’m clinging to a rope halfway down a building, whispering grounding techniques to myself, I’ll know it’s for something that genuinely matters.

Thank you for supporting TOPAS—and for encouraging a clinical psychologist to face their fears in the least subtle way possible.

Wish me luck. I’m going to need it!