Daredevil grandmother prepares for Eden Project zipwire challenge

A daredevil grandmother is taking on England's longest and fastest zipwire for charity.

Alison Midwood, 87, who is known as Granny Bin, will fly over Cornwall's Eden Project to raise money for ShelterBox.

She will be suspended on a 660-metre (2,165ft) zipwire above the famous biomes and travel at up to 60mph - despite never having been on one before and not being in the best of health

Mrs Midwood, who was called Binnie as a youngster after a great aunt Albinia, has a family connection with the Cornwall-based international disaster relief agency ShelterBox.

Her granddaughter Alice Jefferson is a member of the charity's operations team and has just returned from deployment in Iraq preparing to help the people of Mosul.

Ms Jefferson said: "Granny Bin is a bit of legend and is on a fundraising mission for ShelterBox.

"I'm still not fully sure of how she came up with the idea, but I think it's pretty epic, especially given that she's never been on a zipwire - not even a little one - and she's not in the best of health.

"After a cancer operation, and diagnosis of a chronic auto-immune disease, she's now more determined than ever to live life to the full.

"We had time to squeeze in a visit to Eden to check how the big day will work. Granny Bin has been given the all-clear by the medical powers that be, and wasn't put off by seeing others hurtling 660 metres over the biomes.

"All is looking good, so please dig deep and help to motivate Granny Bin to complete this challenge. Who knows what her next target will be? Go Granny go."

Mrs Midwood, who lives near Liskeard, Cornwall hopes to raise £500 for charity. She is taking part in the challenge on Saturday.