THIS could be you abseiling down the i360.

Safety experts from Relay Ropes Access have already been trying out the drop from the viewing tower and will try it again this weekend before residents get the chance to do it on March 17 for Rockinghorse, the charity arm of the Royal Alexandra children’s hospital in Brighton.

Thrill-seekers will be fitted with safety harnesses and lowered, either manually or mechanically, from the open pod doors at 450ft. Access and is open to the first 30 people to sign up who can raise a minimum £1,000 each in sponsorship.

i360 Executive director Steve Bax said: “The view from the British Airways i360 pod at 450ft is quite breath-taking, and for the very first time we will be opening the doors while the pod is at the top of the tower and allowing members of the public who are brave enough to abseil back down again. The highly experienced team at Belay Ropes Access will be operating the event and we are all very excited that the participants will be raising funds for local children’s charity Rockinghorse.”

Director Iain Tindall from Belay Ropes Access, operating the abseil, said: “The sheer exposure of British Airways i360 is what makes this abseil special because unlike other venues, you are descending in open space rather than against a wall. And the position on the seafront makes it unique. I would challenge anyone not to feel a few nerves when faced with a 450ft drop, so even for experienced people, this will present a fearsome challenge.”

Rockinghorse is the fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton. It also supports the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and the Special Care Baby Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

The charity abseil at British Airways i360 will help Rockinghorse to raise funds for a new specialist x-ray machine for premature babies at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit.

Rockinghorse chief executive Ryan Heal said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as beneficiary of the very first iDrop challenge! This is certainly a unique event and a fantastic opportunity for any thrill-seeker to take on the 450ft drop. Having recently celebrated our 50th anniversary, this is a great start to 2018 and continuing to support local children’s centres and paediatric services across Sussex.”

The abseil will be tested on January 13 and 14 2018, while British Airways i360 is closed for annual maintenance. During the two-week shutdown, which started yesterday [January 8, 2018], the attraction will also be subject to independent inspection and testing for the renewal of its ADIPS, which is its license to operate, authorised by the Health and Safety Executive.

To register email hannah.seltzer@rockinghorse.org.uk