Feniton Church of England Primary School get ready to hold a 50ft abseil at St Andrew’s Church.

Pupils in Feniton are rising to the challenge and are hoping to raise thousands of pounds to help disadvantage children in Melanesian.

Feniton Church of England Primary School will be hosting a sponsored 50ft abseil and teddy zipwire event at St Andrew’s church on Saturday, June 16.

The money raised will go to the Melanesian Mission as well as other local charities including Hospiscare, Devon Air Ambulance, Feniton Primary School, St Andrew’s Church and the village playing fields.

The school’s headteacher Colin Butler, a former outdoor pursuits instructor, said: “I have been privileged enough to go out and see what difference donations can make. It really does make a huge difference to someone else’s life.”

Earlier this year Mr Butler spent three weeks in the Solomon Islands as part of a twinning project with the Norman Palmer School to strengthen the village’s global links.

It is believed to be the first time an abseil has been done from the village’s church tower.

Both the village and the church have historic connections to the Solomon Islands as Feniton-born John Coleridge Patteson was the first Bishop of Melanesia.

The children pictured have already signed up to take part in the abseil and will be joined by Reverend Cate Edmonds and Mr Butler.

On the day there will be stalls as well as tea and coffee in the church.

“Every child young and old can be involved,” adds Mr Butler. “There is going to be quite an atmosphere on the day. Come along and challenge yourself. It is not often you get this chance.

“The more the merrier.”

The school recently held a book collection for the Norman Palmer School and hope it can use the funds raised from the event to pay for the shipping costs.

Participants must be over eight to take part in the abseil.

For more information or to register call Mr Butler on 01404 850303 or email admin@feniton.devon.sch.uk or David Lanning on 01404 850699 or david.lanning@talktalk.net.

All completed forms must be returned to Feniton Primary School.