By Alesha Capone
Abseiling 27 floors from the top of a skyscraper is a daunting task, but Jesse Simpson is prepared for the challenge.
The 20 year-old is an ambassador for Altitude Shift 2020, an annual fundraiser for Anglicare Victoria.
The event, to be held on April 17 and 18, also aims to raises awareness of the work Anglicare does with foster children.
Mr Simpson, who lives in Little River with his long-time foster parents Gen and John, said he felt a “little nervous” at the prospect of abseiling 113 metres down the St James Building in Melbourne for Altitude Shift.
But Mr Simpson, who has previously participated in skydiving and rock climbing, said he wanted to help out Anglicare Victoria, as the organisation had supported him from the moment he entered foster care.
“For me, foster care always meant so much more than just having a roof over my head and food on my plate,” he said.
“Foster care has really allowed me to be myself, to forget about my past and to achieve everything that I am capable of.
“I graduated high school in 2017 and I am now studying a bachelor of biomedicine at Melbourne University, a course I have dreamt of since I was 15.”
There is no fitness level or experience required to take part in the abseil event and participants will receive full training and support.
“I think abseiling down a skyscraper is an incredibly visible way to highlight the challenges foster kids face on a daily basis,”
Mr Simpson said. To donate: visit: bit.ly/2R1RtwX
