Reading West MP Martin Salter will, on Sunday 14^th June, become the first person to abseil down the iconic new Blade building in Reading’s town centre, as part of a fundraising drive for the charity, “Children with Leukaemia.” Mr Salter will be abseiling from 400 feet as part of One Big Drop - a national event being staged at eight centres around the UK. His drop will take place at approximately 10am.

Mr Salter has already secured sponsorship from Abbey Windows of Cardiff Road, Reading and from a number of his fellow MPs. He is asking the public to support Children with Leukaemia by going to his website www.martinsalter.com and making an online pledge.

Mr Salter said:-

“I am sure that after twenty-five years in public life there are many people who would like to throw me off the top of a tall building in Reading, but I thought I’d save them the trouble by doing it myself!”

He added:-

“Leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer, affecting up to 500 children every in the UK. About one third of all childhood cancers are leaukaemias. I very much hope that through increased research funded through the generosity of the public that this childhood killer disease can be beaten once and for all.”

Children with Leukaemia funds research into treatment, causes and prevention of childhood leukaemia,  welfare projects to help minimise the stress of treatment. They also raise awareness about issues affecting leukaemic children.

Mr Salter has abseiled down a number of Reading’s tallest buildings, usually for charity, including the Renaissance Hotel, the Civic Offices, and the Royal Berkshire Hospital chimney in Craven Road.