NERVES are jangling as a team of abseilers prepare to tackle the heights of Church Langleys mammoth water tower.

Friends and family of Freddie Rencontre, a six-year-old severely autistic boy, have been sponsored to abseil down the 40ft tower to raise money for treatment that will help him lead a normal life.

And joining the 18 volunteers is daring Citizen reporter Gemma Hornett.

Gemma, 24, said: After interviewing the Rencontres, I immediately felt like I wanted to do something else as well as writing the article, because its such a worthy cause.

By taking part in the abseil, the volunteers hope to raise some of the £7,000 needed to pay for a unique course in America and to build him a special playroom at his home in Spencers Croft, Harlow.

His parents, Fred, one of the abseilers, and his wife Kath, who will be spectating, say the course is vital to Freddies progress.

Family members promising to face the terrifying sheer drop, with the assistance of the Royal Navy, include Mr Rencontres sister Stella and his brother Joe.

Mr and Mrs Rencontre have already received donations since they launched the appeal in March. The Citizen office received £165 from generous readers responding to the appeal, £160 of which was sent in cash anonymously.

And planned fundraising events include a charity music night organised by Father Paul Macnamara, of Holy Cross Church, Tracyes Road, Harlow. The groovy vicar will play his electric guitar with his band, the Planets, at a 60s and 70s night at the church hall on May 9.

An old friend of Mr Rencontres, Steve Cox, from Binghams, Harlow, raised over £1,000 toward the cause when he tackled a triathlon on Wednesday.

Another family friend has donated air miles he is entitled to from his work. This will pay for two return flights to Boston, where Freddies treatment awaits him.

Scratch cards and collection boxes issued by the Medical Care Foundation for Freddies cause are now circulating in Harlow and Mr Rencontres niece raised £125 from collecting boxes in her childrens clothes shops.

Mr Rencontre said: People have been so lovely and its amazing what everyone is doing to help. I did not envisage this at all. If you would like to make a donation toward Freddies treatment, call the Rencontres on 445968, or

send your gift to: The Freddie Rencontre appeal, c/o the Harlow Citizen, 8 Simon Campion Court,

Epping, Essex, CM15 4AU.

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