A group of daredevils came together on Saturday to tackle dizzying heights in support of Ambler Primary School and Children’s Centre.

Castle Climbing Centre – a Victorian former water pumping station – was the setting for 30 parents, pupils, teachers and governors to take on the abseil challenge in the hope of drumming up £6,000 to upgrade school facilities.

The team, including representatives from Right Way Sports and sponsoring estate agents Anthony Pepe, climbed a spiral staircase inside the original pumping tower before abseiling from a wooden platform that was 31m off the ground – the length of two double-decker buses end to end.

So far £5,750 has been raised, which will go towards improving the playground with new permanent games boards and lines, supporting the after-school sports clubs and providing equipment needed for sports lessons.

Those taking part then joined their supporters, family and friends at a picnic in Clissold Park, complete with games and tree-climbing.

The challenge was organised by Friends of Ambler, the voluntary body representing parents and carers of the Blackstock Road school.

Headteacher Juliet Benis said: “Congratulations all round. It was a great day, everybody really enjoyed themselves, and it was brilliant to see so many in the Ambler community attend the picnic to support and celebrate our courageous abseilers.

“We are delighted at the success of this fundraising effort on behalf of both the primary school and the children’s centre and thank Friends of Ambler and all involved making the event such a fantastic success.”

Donations for the school’s playground project are being accepted at mydonate.bt.com – search for “friends of Ambler” – until Sunday.

The school’s latest fundraising drive is building on its ongoing “field of dreams” project to improve the Ambler playground and get kids more active and into sport.

In March Arsenal FC legend Martin Keown officially unveiled Ambler’s football cage and put pupils through their paces on the new astroturf.