Nearly 100 brave 17-story descent for Special Olympics Delaware [video]

 (Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Delaware)

(Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Delaware)

The annual fundraiser challenge drew both thrill seekers and the acrophobic to rappel 222-feet down the side of a building in downtown Wilmington.

“My nerves are jumping, I was shaking going down,” said Lauren Christ, a teacher at Smyrna Elementary School after taking her turn going over the edge of the Brandywine Trust Realty building at 300 Delaware Ave. “I kept thinking wow, this is a long way down. It was the first time I realized how long it was down.”

Christ was one of about 90 people to raise at least $1,100 for the privilege of facing her fear and helping support Special Olympics Delaware.

“We like to say that this is a good way to do something courageous in honor of the bravery that our athletes have every single day as they face challenges that they have,” said Corinne Plummer, manager of special events for Special Olympics Delaware.

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Participants this year included teachers, law enforcement officers and even a Special Olympics athlete who is legally blind.

“I think that people like to do this event because it’s certainly very unique,” Plummer said.

For Lauren Christ, the anxiety she experienced before going over turned to feelings of accomplishment as she was hugged and welcomed to the ground by family, friends and students. “They were all excited, they were just hugging me, and screaming and happy for me to be down at the bottom.”

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