84-year-old woman abseils down Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge to highlight Fair Trade

By Kris Jepson

An 84-year-old woman from Middlesbrough has abseiled down the iconic Transporter Bridge in the Teesside town to raise awareness of Fair Trade.

Kitty Grove-Stephensen first abseiled down the bridge in 2008 and most recently she completed the longest and fastest zip wire in Europe at the age of 82 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Watch @krisjepson's report here:

Kitty took the drop all in her stride today at a windswept River Tees.

Her supporters were proud of Kitty's achievement. Fair Trade campaigner Yvonne Ewington said "she's just worked fearlessly for fair trade and done all sorts of things for fair trade and is just an amazing person."

Abseiling and rock climbing instructor, Gillian Newman from Climbing Rocks, said, "she is our oldest abseiler. She's done really well and inspired lots of people here today."

Mark Fishpool from Middlesbrough Environment City celebrated Kitty's abseil by doing it himself. He said today's event was important to help people recognise the benefits of fair trade and to mark the start of Fair Trade Fortnight.

He said "She's a remarkable woman. She's done so much for fair trade and other causes in the town and she just keeps going on and on. It's about encouraging people to actually, when they're going out shopping, buying those fair trade products and making a difference for producers in developing countries."

Kitty felt today's challenge was a doddle.