Wind can't stop west lothian teenager as she puts children first with 100ft drop

JESSICA WALLACE RAISED OVER £740 FOR THE CHARITY THAT HELPED HER FAMILY 08:32, 02 Jun 2025 A teenager from Livingston faced down her fear of heights as she took on a challenge that saw her

descend 100ft from the Port of Leith Distillery. Brave Jessica Wallace raised over £740 in the process for the charity Children First with the daunting abseiling challenge in Edinburgh. The

14-year-old’s family has first-hand experience of the incredible work that Scotland’s national children’s charity as they received vital support during a difficult time. Children First

worked alongside Jessica’s family when her nephew, Lucas, who is now nine, was placed into the care of Jessica’s mum Alexandra. READ MORE: Staff members from Livingston school complete

fundraising run as part of Edinburgh Marathon Festival He faced serious health challenges after he was born and needed a lot of care and support. His own mum then found she could no longer

look after him and his gran became his kinship carer when he was just 18 months old. As he’s grown, his learning disabilities have continued to shape his journey and the kind of support he

needs to help him thrive. Article continues below Alexandra described the challenging time the family faced when she became Lucas’s guardian as the most difficult time of their lives until

they were introduced to Children First. She said: “We were faced with everything we could possibly be faced with. It was just so difficult for the family. “Someone gave me the information

for Children First, and I thought: ‘What are they going to do?’ “The West Lothian team visited us, and they were just brilliant. They just came in, non-judgmental and asked ‘What can I do to

help you? What have you got, what do you need? “Our worker helped us get a little cot bed for him which, still to this day he still talks about so fondly. “She was there as emotional

support for me because I was absolutely traumatised.” READ MORE: West Lothian swim coach who thought stage 4 cancer diagnosis meant curtains for him is feeling great Lucas has been in the

care of his grandparents since and Alexandra says they are now “ticking along.” Jessica has done lots of fundraising challenges for charities over the years to help other children and

families, including twice having cut her hair. Alexandra continued: “Twice, Jessica has cut off over eight inches of hair for charity. When I saw the abseil challenge I thought: ‘That’s

something she could do.’” Jessica was quite apprehensive and said no to at first as she's scared of heights but was determined to raise money and started asking for sponsorship.

Alexandra added: “Within a couple of days she asked what it entailed, and she really pushed, asking people to sponsor her. “I am so proud of Jessica for overcoming her fears and completing

the abseil, the weather was a bit windy, so it added to the tension. Jessica did so well and is a true star in my eyes.” Jessica joined around 20 others to take on the Port of Leith abseil

for Children First on Sunday, May 11. “I am so grateful that I did it for an amazing charity, but I might wait a while before I do it again,” Jessica said. READ MORE: West Lothian mum-of-two

shares hysterectomy experience in short book published in two languages Michelle Supple, director of fundraising, marketing and communications at Children First said: “Wow what a superstar

Jessica is! We are in awe of her bravery and can’t thank her enough for her fundraising efforts. “Children in Scotland are facing a childhood emergency and all the money raised by Jessica

and other fundraisers who took on this challenge will help us protect children and keep them safe.” Children First is looking for participants for its Kelpies Challenge event on June 7. You

can sign up at: www.childrenfirst.org.uk/get-involved/events/the-kelpies-challenge-2025 Article continues below DON'T MISS THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WEST LOTHIAN COURIER. SIGN UP TO OUR

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