BBC News Coverage For 90 Year Old Zip Liner In Glasgow!

Watch the BBC News feature here!

The Big Bang team had an exciting visit from the team at BBC News during our 3-weekend long Zip Line extravaganza for SBH Scotland!

Their presence was prompted by 90-year-old Gladys Speedie, who bravely took on a 1000-ft Zip Wire over The River Clyde, in aid of Glasgow City Mission. 

A fitting name for the occasion, Gladys Speedie proudly professed that she would be going down the Zip Wire ‘fast and furious!’

Shortly after being harnessed up by crew member Max Ward, she was taken up to a height of over 100-ft as she waved and blew kisses to the crowd of friends, family and spectators. After some final checks from Zip Wire Instructor Niall Rachman, Gladys was ready to go, and soared through the skies and over the Clyde, before coming in to land at our custom-build landing platform.

Glasgow City Mission is a Christian charity which focuses on supporting those affected by homelessness, poverty and addiction in Glasgow. Taken from their website, Gladys said 

‘Having lived a long life I don’t recall the issue of homelessness like I see it now.  I only hope I can raise awareness of the need to give help now.  Every little would help but more would be better!” She continued, “If people suffer from depression or addiction they need help. People who don’t know how to look after themselves need to be given better support than is available now.’

The charities fundraising manager Jack Geddes expressed his thanks for Gladys’ support, saying ‘she is an inspiration to us all’

Gladys reached out to Glasgow City Mission in early 2024 and has generated a lot of donations due to getting articles in the local paper and Scotland-wide coverage on TV and radio! 

On the day of the zip wire, many of Gladys’ students from 40 years ago came to watch. They were part of the first intake of student nurses doing a degree course at Glasgow Caledonian University. Gladys helped write the course and was one of the original lecturers.

The fundraising effort was a huge success - Gladys decided to go down the traditional route of using paper sponsor sheets, which has brought in an incredible £2,700!

Not only this, but the £250 target set on City Mission’s fundraising page was blown out of the water, bringing in an incredible £1,585 for the charity.