I was on the lookout for a challenge in 2025.

When I saw that Elly Hoult, Peabody COO and president of the Chartered Institute of Housing, was looking for people to join her in an abseil in aid of Barnardo’s and her presidential campaign CHOOSE HOUSING, I leapt at it…..sort of.

I will be abseiling off a nine-storey building on a Peabody estate in Wandsworth. As some of you will know, I’m perfectly comfortable on a steep mountain slope with a pair of skis on, but definitely not where a sheer drop is involved.

Any donation in support of Barnardo’s will be greatly appreciated. Barnardo’s provide a lifeline for many children and young people. Their work to support children to be more hopeful centres around enabling children experiencing challenges to move into adulthood with hope and confidence, including career guidance and opportunities.

This resonates with Elly's CHOOSE HOUSING campaign, which is focused on raising awareness of the career opportunities the housing sector provides, promoting greater diversity in the sector and inspiring more people to pursue housing as a career of choice while encouraging more opportunities for people to join the sector.