Radio Presenter abseils Spinnaker Tower for Portsmouth Hospitals Charity

Radio presenter Paul Marsh has spoken about the moment he “genuinely hated every second” of abseiling down Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower for charity.

The Express FM presenter took on the challenge at Spinnaker Tower in Gunwharf Quays to raise money for Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, despite admitting he has a fear of heights.

Paul said he expected the challenge to be difficult, but did not realise quite how tough it would be.

He said: “People said once you get going it’s fine, and for most people that’s probably true. Not me.

“Just stepping off that ledge was the scariest thing I had ever done.”

Paul explained that because of his size, he struggled to move the rope in the usual way during the descent and instead had to grip tightly onto the equipment as he made his way down the tower.

“It hurt. A lot,” he admitted.

“At around a third of the way down I would have given anything to be pulled back up, or just drop down and deal with the consequences.”

However, hearing support from friends, family and supporters below kept him going.

“The only thing I had in my head was all the money people had donated, and all my friends and family I could hear cheering me on. You have no idea how much that helped me. Thank you.”

Dozens of people took part in the charity abseil event, raising thousands of pounds for Portsmouth Hospitals Charity.

Paul said the fundraising total had already gone far beyond what he expected, with donations still continuing through Express FM and JustGiving.

Despite completing the challenge successfully, the Portsmouth presenter joked there would not be a repeat performance any time soon.

“First and last time I ever abseil,” he said. “I promise.”