Blue Peter presenter’s Peak Park challenge

Iconic children’s show Blue Peter has welcomed its newest presenter in an adrenaline-fuelled challenge in the Peak District National Park.

Abby Cook, 20, put her fears aside as she abseiled off the famous ‘Bridge 75’ viaduct at Millers Dale on the Monsal Trail.

A wheelchair racer from Falkirk, Abby joins Mwaka Mudenda, Joel Mawhinney and Henry the dog as she made her debut on the CBBC show.

Her first of the show’s synonymous daring challenges was undertaken just a couple of weeks’ ago when she joined local experts to drop down between the imposing arches of the viaduct in a bid to collect her coveted first presenter’s badge.

Fiona Stubbs, from the National Park’s communications team captured the scene as Abby first battled with the view but finally climbed over the edge to receive her blue and white shield.

Since studying applied biological science in her native Scotland, Abby has worked with Forth Valley Disability Sport, supporting disabled and non-disabled young people becoming active.

Abby said she hopes to become a role model like many of her Blue Peter predecessors and create a ‘lasting impression’ for young people.

The Monsal Trail is part of more than 35 miles of fully accessible, traffic-free, all-user routes looked after by the Peak District National Park Authority.

Specialist facilities at the Millers Dale site allow for those with mobility challenges to be able to undertake abseils above the River Wye with local experts. 

Abby’s visit comes as the National Park recently announced a grant of more £130,000 from Defra will support improved accessible options in the Peak District, including a tripling of the Authority’s fleet of ‘Tramper’ vehicles available at its cycle hire centres.

Abby’s first challenge airs on Blue Peter on Friday 10 March at 5pm.