Local councillor takes on world’s tallest permanent abseil to back bereavement support
A Milton Keynes City Councillor has descended the 418ft National Lift Tower in Northampton to raise money for a local charity that supports children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling.
Councillor Wing Tsang, who represents Broughton and Moulsoe, stepped over the edge of the tower on Saturday 5 September to fundraise for Harry's Rainbow, which provides bereavement support across Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.
- Event: 418ft abseil from the National Lift Tower (Northampton Lift Tower)
- Date: Saturday 5 September
- Participant: Cllr Wing Tsang, Broughton and Moulsoe
- Beneficiary: Harry's Rainbow — bereavement support for children and young people
The descent marked one of the first public fundraising efforts for Cllr Tsang since she was elected to the council in May 2026, the first time she has stood for elected office. She also holds the role of the council’s Mental Health Champion this term, a post through which she has been meeting local organisations and communities to understand provision and gaps in mental health support.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Height of abseil | 418ft |
| Location | National Lift Tower (Northampton Lift Tower) |
| Councillor | Wing Tsang (Broughton and Moulsoe) |
| Charity supported | Harry's Rainbow |
Born and raised in Milton Keynes and still living and working in the city, Cllr Tsang said she chose the challenge because she wanted to benefit a charity helping families in her community. In a post-abseil statement she reflected on the experience and the reason she took part:
"Standing at the top of the tower and looking down was quite an experience, but I knew there was a much bigger reason for being there. Harry's Rainbow does incredibly important work here in Milton Keynes, particularly for children and young people whose lives have changed enormously through bereavement."
She added that, as the council’s Mental Health Champion, she is conscious of the impact grief can have on mental wellbeing and the importance of having places to turn to for support. Photographs accompanying coverage show Cllr Tsang smiling after the descent and battling windy conditions during the abseil.
Harry’s Rainbow provides tailored bereavement support to children and young people across Milton Keynes and neighbouring areas. The charity helps families navigate life after the death of someone close, offering practical and emotional assistance to younger people whose lives have been affected by loss.
Although the abseil is complete, Cllr Tsang’s fundraising efforts remain ongoing. The effort will be followed closely by residents in Broughton and Moulsoe, and more widely by those interested in how local elected members support voluntary and community sector services that serve vulnerable children and families.
The event highlights the intersection of civic office and community activism for newly elected councillors. With responsibilities including committee work and several trustee roles, Cllr Tsang has used her first months in office to engage with groups providing mental health and bereavement support — areas that were identified as priorities after her election.
For local people, the abseil provides a visible demonstration of a councillor using a personal challenge to spotlight a local need. Whether it leads to increased donations or stronger links between the council and bereavement services, the stunt underlines the role councillors can play in championing community organisations in Milton Keynes.
