TV’s daredevil gadget girl Suzi Perry took on her biggest challenge yet as she helped Royal Marines launch a landmark fundraising challenge.

Suzi joined Royal Marines in a daring fast rope abseil at RMR City of London barracks to kick off ‘Take the Leap’, the second event in the Commando Spirit Series of challenges, which aims to raise £1m for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund (RMCTF) by 2014.

Take the Leap, set to take place in September 2012, will offer an elite group of 40 civilian participants the chance to take on Royal Marines fast rope abseil training – and put their new skill into practice by abseiling from the roof of St Pancras station or into Twickenham rugby ground.

Suzi said: “The abseil was very daunting, but I was in very safe hands throughout. A few minutes of panic for me, and those who sign up to Take the Leap, is nothing compared to what our Royal Marines do for us each and every day.

“The Commando Spirit Appeal and Series of events are amazing and I am so proud to offer my support. I’d encourage everyone to find out about Commando Spirit and get involved in some way to show support for the Royal Marines who face great danger on a daily basis in order to protect our country.”

The TV gadget expert was also joined at the Take the Leap launch by a team of Commando Spirit participants, all of whom braved the first Series challenge – Escape the Dunker – in September this year, along with Sally-Anne Hunter, Founder and Director of the Commando Spirit Appeal.

Sally-Anne said: “We are thrilled to have launched this next phase of the Commando Spirit Series and are very pleased to have Suzi on board. The first challenge was a huge success, with a brave band of 24 people stepping up to show their mettle and raise funds for this most deserving cause.

“The Leap promises to be even more exciting, with such landmark venues offering a truly unique chance to show what you’re made of.

“That is what Commando Spirit is all about – showing you have that courage, grit and determination to put yourself through elements of real Commando training, and raise vital funds in the process.”

The Commando Spirit Series offers participants a rare insight into what it means to be a Royal Marines Commando today. Commando Spirit participants get the chance to test their courage and character against some of the most formidable aspects of Royal Marines training, be buddied up with a former or serving Royal Marine to guide them through their experience, be invited to Royal Marines events and help raise £1million for the RMCTF.

The RMCTF has as wide a set of purposes as any Service charity, working to support those wounded and injured, as well as those still serving, by funding decompression activities, homecoming events and memorials. It also provides through-life support to those who have left the Corps or dependents who have lost loved ones in service. Importantly, a significant grant is also made to the next of kin of all Royal Marines who die in service within 48 hours of the event.

Brigadier Mark Noble, Campaign Manager for the RMCTF, said: “It is a huge privilege to be working in close partnership with the team behind the Commando Spirit Appeal and to meet up with the courageous and inspirational individuals who participate in the Challenges and, in doing so, raise very significant sums with which to support the Royal Marines Corps Family through the RMCTF.”

For more information on the Commando Spirit Appeal or Take the Leap, please visit www.commandospirit.com. 

To make a donation visit http://www.justgiving.com/CommandoSpirit