Ballina man to abseil down Anfield for a brilliant cause
Karl Walker pictured outside his workplace the Heyday Hostel alongside manager Bernie Costello
A Ballina man is taking on a unique adventure sports challenge at an iconic Premier League ground to raise money for a worthy cause.
Liverpool fan Karl Walker will embark on an exhilarating 100-foot abseil down the side of Anfield Stadium in Liverpool in memory of lost friends and in aid of Pieta.
Abseiling, often called rappeling, involves a descent from a cliff or a man-made structure using a rope.
Karl told the that while he has raised money for charity before, this will be his first time completing an abseil.
“I have never done anything like this before. I’m usually the one in the background as I don’t like the limelight but I’m coming out of my shell as this cause means a lot to me.”
“I have done charity work for Laura Lynn and the Irish Hospice Foundation before so raising money for charity is not new to me, but I have done nothing as big or challenging as this before.”
Karl is originally from Dublin but moved to Ballina in 2006, close to his mother’s native Glenamoy, and has worked in the local hospitality industry in Ballina since moving here.
He said he took on a new challenge last year, working in the Heyday Hostel, whose owners Anne Lynn and Padraig Jordan have kindly sponsored his abseiling ticket in order to support him in this charitable endeavour.
“The owners Anne and Padraig and my manager Bernie and work colleague Marian have been so supportive to me in preparing for this,” he said.
Karl's Anfield Abseil will take place on May 3, 2024, at 11am, the day before Jurgen Klopp's second last home game in charge of the Reds against Tottenham Hotspur.
To donate and support Karl’s fundraiser for Pieta,
