FORGET the stairs or the elevator. When it comes to making a quick descent of Blackpool tower, one Bury receptionist will step out into space without the aid of a parachute.

On July 16, Miss Teresa Gorman, no relation to the Conservative MP, will be one of 50 dare devil fund raisers who will take part in a commando style slide from the summit of the popular tourist attraction to the beach below.

The charity stunt, starting at 1am in the morning, is in aid of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust which is seeking to raise urgent funds to pay for 60,000 would-be donors to register for future treatments.

Miss Gorman, a senior receptionist at Yates and Suddal opticians in Minden Parade, said: "At the moment the trust only has enough cash to register 25,000 people as potential bone marrow donors. In this country there are 60,000 people waiting in the wings to provide bone marrow for those who need transplants of that nature."

Members of the armed forces will be on hand to supervise the event which will see fund raisers start from a height of over 200ft and slide down a to see level in less than 60 seconds.

"I've done a parachute jump before so I'm really looking forward to this particular event. The reason for the early start is due to the Blackpool transport companies shutting down the tram lines as we will be sliding over the top of the power cables," said Miss Gorman (35) from Rochdale.

The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Appeal is looking for teams of four to take part in a Krypton Factor Assault Course fund raising event on June 21 and 22. Anyone interested should contact Mr Steve Joyce of the appeal on 0161 446 1151.

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