As part of the University’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the Chancellor and pioneering mountaineer abseiled down the 150-foot tower for charity.

Sir Chris said: “It is very special for me in this, my final year, as Chancellor and very fitting to make the abseil to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. The view from the top of the tower is brilliant, much better than from the Shard which I abseiled down a few years ago.”

Sir Chris, who will be 80 in August and who retires as Chancellor later this year, is an outstanding mountaineer who led the expeditions that made the first ascents of the South Face of Annapurna and the South West Face of Everest. He realised a dream in 1985 when he reached the summit of Everest.

He said he had greatly enjoyed his time as Chancellor.

“It’s been inspirational and brought me a lot of joy. It’s broadened my horizons hugely and I feel privileged to have been the Chancellor of a top ten university which is also a friendly, happy place.”

Sir Chris was joined by over 70 charity abseilers, both staff and students, all raising funds for the Student Hardship Fund, Ageing Research, Food Security, St John’s Hospice in Lancaster and the Dukes Theatre’s ‘MAKE Project’, which provides creative opportunities for young people.

The event was run by abseiling experts, Langdale-based Highpoint Mountain Guides, who provided help and guidance to all participants.