PLUCKY Tania Barrett is all set to take a giant leap to say thank you on behalf of her younger sister.

Eight year old Tania is planning to abseil down Bolton Fire Station's 90ft hose-drying tower on Saturday to raise money for Vision Aid in Bolton.

Recently, Tania's sister Sarah, aged seven, who was blind in her right eye, had an operation to remove cataracts and has been given a lot of help and support from the group. Tania, of Singleton Avenue, Horwich, is the current British Isles Carnival Rose Bud and decided that before she retires in February she would like to raise money for the people who helped her sister. The family were amazed when the youngster said she wanted to abseil. "She's not a tomboy and is more for frills and dressing up than anything like this," said her mum Heather. Heather's father Mr David Sneddon is a retired station officer at Horwich Fire Station and fixed it for his grand-daughter to perform her stunt. Mr Sneddon said: "If Tania says she's going to do it, she will. She walked up Rivington Pike for charity when she was Horwich Carnival Rosebud and she was only six years old then."

Tania, a pupil at Lord Street Primary School, has handed out sponsor forms to friends and family. Sarah had her operation shortly before Christmas and now has partial vision in her eye.

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