A PLUCKY Redditch pensioner is to live out a lifetime dream of abseiling despite being almost 80 and having a calliper fitted to her leg, writes Becky Procter.

Alex Bagnall, who was once told she would never walk again, will be scaling down the wall of Marks and Spencer in Worcester on Saturday.

The Webheath woman is hoping to raise awareness of and funds for the Redditch and Bromsgrove branch of mental health charity Mind, of which she is a member.

A fan of all the big rides at theme parks, Mrs Bagnall is not at all nervous about her challenge.

She said: "It is something I have always wanted to do but I mainly want to raise people's awareness of mental health.

"I have a calliper on my right leg because about 18 years ago I fell over and broke my leg. But afterwards doctors discovered I had also broken my foot and damaged most of the blood vessels and nerves. They said I would never walk again."

But Mrs Bagnall persevered and designed her own exercise regime which enabled her to walk. She later ditched a walking stick in favour of a calliper.

Mrs Bagnall, who has a chronic mental health problem, wants to bring people's attention to Mind and the work it does to help and support sufferers of mental illness.

She said: "I had my first bad bout about 35 years ago and I stayed in Barnsley Hall, but my last episode was eight years ago."

Mrs Bagnall, who has a fear of running tap water, would also like to see official provision for mental health sufferers over the age of 65.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Mrs Bagnall can call Pat Wild at Mind on 07885 582457.