DAREDEVIL abseilers raised an astounding £5,400 for autistic child Freddie Rencontre when they battled Harlows water tower.

Friends and family of Freddie, who made up the 16-strong fearless team, braved the unpredictable weather last Saturday to collect the staggering amount of money which will pay for his unique treatment in America.

Freddies dad Fred, who also tackled the daunting tower, said: The support has been tremendous really because people were petrified of jumping and scared of heights and they still did it. It was all down to teamwork.

Clad in Freddie Rencontre Appeal T-shirts, the abseil team dropped one by one from the 93ft tower in Church Langley, egged-on by the large crowd, over 50 of whom were Freddie supporters.

And the daring bunch were given a helping hand by the Royal Marines, including Corporal Larry Foder, who ensured the harnesses were fitted to leave no room for comfort.

The family charity abseilers included Freddies cousins George and Marc Tong, Tony Xavier, Neville and Maryanne Rencontre and Richard Hunt, his uncles, Doug Tong, Mark Girling and Jo and Freddie Rencontre and his auntie, Stella Tong.

Among friends and familytaking the plunge were Citizen reporter Gemma Hornett, Ricky Shipton, and Angela Burns. Alison Hickling, who alone raised £1,000, also collected money for Freddies cause at her childrens clothes store.

Mr Rencontre said now the money had been raised to pay for Freddies treatment, he hoped to get him a cancellation on the course in Massachusetts, which is booked up until later next year.

The Rotary Club of Harlow Tye, which organised the charity abseil, will donate the £5,000 to the Rencontre family once all the sponsorship money has been collected by team members.

Event organiser David Davison said 50 per cent of the estimated £15,000 to £20,000 raised by the other abseilers would be donated to St Clares Hospice in Hastingwood, 10 per cent to Water Aid, and the rest would be divided amongst local charities.

The Rencontre family still need to raise £2,500 to build Freddie a specially-designed playroom, but believe they may reach their target once they count donations and money collected from other events.

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