THE 92-year-old father of the late Jon Walker completed an amazing tribute to his son on Saturday by abseiling down a Portsmouth landmark.

A large crowd gathered by the Spinnaker Tower as Peter Walker went over the edge for Fitzroy.

But although he got the biggest cheer, the elderly fundraiser didn’t feel like a celebrity after a blustery descent to terra firma.

“My first aim of doing this abseil was to raise the profile of Fitzroy,” said Mr Walker, who has built strong links with the Hylton Road charity which provides a range of services for adults with learning disabilities, autism and similar conditions.

PETER WALKER SPINNAKER ABSEIL SPINNAKER TOWER, PORTSMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE ENGLAND AUGUST 2023 A 92-year-old Hampshire man undertook a charity abseil in memory of his journalist son who died in March of this year Hampshire's Peter Walker navigated his way down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower accompanied by a professional abseiler to honour his son Jon who for many years had been the Chief Reporter at the Petersfield Post, Jon, who was 64, died just weeks after being diagnosed with terminal cancer The Spinnaker Tower, known as 'The Sail of The Solent' is a 170 metre high observation overlooking the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour and the Gunwharf Quays retail complex below as well as offering a 'bird's eye view' of the adjoining Naval Base and across The Solent to the Isle of Wight During the summer months many people raise money for charities by experiencing the 100 metre descent and its associated adrenaline rush, but not many are 92 years of age ! Mr Walker Senior is aiming to raise money for Fitzroy, a charity often covered by his son which provides a range of services for adults with learning disability, autism and similar conditions. Mr Walker, who is partially disabled and needed his doctor’s approval to undertake the challenge, said “My son Jon was a legend because he loved Petersfield and its people and worked hard for them, for me, he is an inspiration....''I am self-sponsoring an abseil from the Spinnaker Tower to raise funds for, and to raise the profile of Fitzroy '' Back on Terra Firma ! - Peter Walker with (left) the professional abseiler who came down with Peter and (right) a gent from the 'ground crew' (Photo by Malcolm Wells) Standard reproduction rates apply, contact Malcolm Wells to arrange payment - Mobile: 07802-217-569 malcolmrichardwells@gmail.com
All over! (Photographer: Malcolm Wells )

“I’ve had the opportunity to get to know them but I’ve only done the easy bit and some of the work they do is extremely difficult.

“When you talk about celebrities, the people that work there are the real celebrities.”

Mr Walker wanted the abseil and the donations raised for Fitzroy to be a “legacy” for his much-missed son, with close to £500 being pledged through a www.justgiving.com page set up by Peter’s granddaughter, Laura.

He admitted to feeling shaky on the launchpad and was accompanied down, but felt completely assured throughout the whole experience and called the organisation “absolutely brilliant”.

He said: “Up there I was shaking like a leaf and the first step is quite big because you’re stepping into the unknown. But you relax into the harness and it went really smoothly.”

PETER WALKER SPINNAKER ABSEIL SPINNAKER TOWER, PORTSMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE ENGLAND AUGUST 2023 A 92-year-old Hampshire man undertook a charity abseil in memory of his journalist son who died in March of this year Hampshire's Peter Walker navigated his way down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower accompanied by a professional abseiler to honour his son Jon who for many years had been the Chief Reporter at the Petersfield Post, Jon, who was 64, died just weeks after being diagnosed with terminal cancer The Spinnaker Tower, known as 'The Sail of The Solent' is a 170 metre high observation overlooking the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour and the Gunwharf Quays retail complex below as well as offering a 'bird's eye view' of the adjoining Naval Base and across The Solent to the Isle of Wight During the summer months many people raise money for charities by experiencing the 100 metre descent and its associated adrenaline rush, but not many are 92 years of age ! Mr Walker Senior is aiming to raise money for Fitzroy, a charity often covered by his son which provides a range of services for adults with learning disability, autism and similar conditions. Mr Walker, who is partially disabled and needed his doctor’s approval to undertake the challenge, said “My son Jon was a legend because he loved Petersfield and its people and worked hard for them, for me, he is an inspiration....''I am self-sponsoring an abseil from the Spinnaker Tower to raise funds for, and to raise the profile of Fitzroy '' Peter Walker (seated) - with his family, daughter-in-law and friends at the base of the Spinnaker Tower (Photo by Malcolm Wells) Standard reproduction rates apply, contact Malcolm Wells to arrange payment - Mobile: 07802-217-569 malcolmrichardwells@gmail.com
Peter Walker with family, friends and Fitzroy support. (Photographer: Malcolm Wells )

Questions have already been asked about his next fundraiser, with a skydive being mentioned. But don’t expect Mr Walker to become an adrenaline junkie overnight, especially when Peter feels his son is watching.

He added: “I can almost imagine him looking at me in that way of his and thinking ‘what are you doing now?’.”

If you would like to donate look for Peter Walker Ontrack on www.justgiving.com