Stourbridge Dad scales Aston Villa's Holte End for charity

Daredevil Matt Greaves took on the challenge in his bid to raise funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice – the charity which cares for his daughter Jessica.

The 37-year-old was joined by more than 70 other Villa fans for the charity's sponsored event, supporting life-limited and life-threatened children across the Midlands.

Matt said: “It was a long walk up to the top of the stand and my heart was in my mouth when I got there. To say I was nervous is an understatement but once I started the descent it wasn’t too bad.

“That said, I was pretty relieved when I finally got to the bottom!

“It was an incredible experience and a real novelty as someone who’s watched Villa from the Holte End for many years.

“This is my way of saying thank you for the incredible work Acorns does, not only helping Jessica enjoy her life to the full but also in providing invaluable support for us as a family.”

Matt was supported by his daughter Jessica at the abseil for Acorns Children's Hospice.

Matt’s 13-year-old daughter Jessica has cerebral palsy and requires around the clock care. She visits the Selly Oak based Acorns hospice for short stays, which helps give her family a break.

He added: “Acorns and its staff are an inspiration to me and the many others who have seen the work they do first hand.

“I can only hope that any money I raise can touch somebody else's life in the way mine has been.”

Matt aimed to raise £400 prior to the challenge, but has now doubled that figure from people donating to his Just Giving fundraising page.

Charlotte Anson, corporate fundraising officer at Acorns, said: “We’re so proud of Matt and the other fundraisers who conquered their fears for what must have been a spectacular experience.

“The money raised will go towards helping Acorns continue its specialist work with life-limited children and young people, which costs over £8 million every year.”

To add to Matt’s abseil challenge funds visit www.justgiving.com/Mattgreavesabseil/