News

A daredevil granny is to take on the fastest zip wire in the world to celebrate her 90th birthday.

Vivian Ellis and 7 friends and family – including her granddaughter Becky – are to take on the 1.5 kilometre Velocity Zip Wire in Snowdonia in May 2025 to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The challenge will see Vivian, a great grandmother of 2, whizz through the air at speeds of up to 100 mph.
The spritely OAP is hoping she and her team will raise £5,000.

Vivian, from Keynsham, is used to a life of thrills, having once been a womens’ World Champion in Sand Yachting.

Viv first became interested in the sport when her husband Geoff took it up.

The pair were introduced to the sport by a friend’s son who took the couple to an airfield in The Cotswolds to try it out.

Geoff then went on to compete in the sport, with Viv accompanying him to events.

But it wasn’t long before the thrill-seeking OAP wanted a piece of the action herself.

“I had become bored just watching said to Geoff I wasn’t going to go with him to any more competitions unless I could have a go myself,” said Viv.

Vivian then sourced a sand yacht of her own and went on to win a race in a European championship.

Keen to go further, her father then found her a Belgium built yacht and she went on to become a World Champion in the Class 3 Ladies Competition in 1984.

“It was such a thrill,” said Vivian.

“The yachts can travel at speeds of up to 80mph – and there’s no brakes.”

Vivian retired from sand yachting in 1985 and went to run the Crown Inn in Keynsham with Geoff for several years before his death.

The zip wire is not the only fundraising challenge which Vivian has completed for charity.

She abseiled down the side of Bristol Children’s Hospital in her early 80s to help raise funds for a dialysis machine.

And she also ran the Bristol Half Marathon for Children’s Hospice South West 15 years ago, raising £6,000.

Vivian, who still plays golf twice a week and enjoys a nightly glass of wine or two, says she is looking forward to her zip wire challenge which will take her over Penrhyn Quarry Lake.

“I’m not nervous at all,” she said.

“I like a bit of speed and I’m looking forward to the adrenaline rush.

It will be a fun way to celebrate my 90th birthday and raise money for a great cause at the same time.

CHSW Area Fundraiser for West Wiltshire and Bath and North East Somerset Heidi Roberts said: “Viv is such an inspiring lady and so full of fun. 

“Every time we chat on the phone, I feel so uplifted by her positive attitude and her passion to help CHSW. 

“If you are inspired by Viv's story, please look at the CHSW challenges for 2025 on CHSW.org.uk. 

“I wish Viv and her family and friends all the very best with their challenge and fundraising".

Anyone who wants to sponsor Vivian and her team can do so here.