Thrillseeker Dame Mary, 75, completes abseil challenge

Forty people took part in the first freefall abseil in the iconic dome – with Dame Mary, 75, one of the last to make the leap.

“When everyone else said they were doing it, I had to do it too – it was an experience,” she said.

“I have never done it before – though I did abseil down a wall about 20 years ago. I know I am mad but I did it to raise awareness and money for my trust.

“Sometimes you have to face your fears and do something you would not normally do. And in fact it was enjoyable once you got started, but the hardest bit was getting over the edge.

“I am just relieved I didn’t make a show of myself.”

Dame Mary – who founded the Mary Peters Trust 40 years ago – said it is trying to raise £1 million to help young sports people.

“I want to make a legacy because we have helped lots of people like Carl Frampton, Graeme McDowell, Michael McKillop...lots of people who have succeeded in sport over the last 40 years,” she said.

“These young people were supported by us when they were younger. We just want to make sure that goes on.”

She added that the Trust wants “to raise as much money as possible” as “it will not be as easy for them to raise funds if I was not there”.

“I am going to be around for a while yet, but have to be realistic,” she said.

“The more we can get in, the more we can support and help these young people because it is getting more and more expensive for them to travel for competitions.

“We hope to have a few in the Rio team.”

Dame Mary said that although the ‘race to £1 million’ has just started, £60,000 has already been raised.

“People are so generous, and if they would like to sponsor me for my abseil I would be very grateful.”