This year, the Birmingham Chilli Festival will be raising the stakes with a 100ft forward-facing abseil from number 4 Brindleyplace to raise funds for one of their 2017 charity partners, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

Nathan Sanghera, Marketing and Events Executive at Brindleyplace, said: “We wanted to shift gears and take this year’s Chilli Festival to the extreme. People can face their fears, quite literally, head on, whilst raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. It’s a great cause and if you think you can brave it, there are still abseil spaces available.

“The challenges don’t stop there though, we’ll also have a rock climbing wall in Oozells Square and those looking for something closer to the ground will be able to get up close and personal with a host of reptiles (including a robotic dragon) – if they dare!”

Of course the Chilli Festival will be centred around the ever-popular chilli themed food and drink market, alongside live music and fiery entertainment! The festival will take place between 11am and 7pm on Saturday 16th September in Central Square at Brindleyplace, with some of the market stalls opening a day earlier, on Friday 15th September, warming up for the main event.

Eloise Davidson, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We’re thrilled to be part of the Chilli Festival this year and can’t wait to see everyone taking on our extreme challenge. Alongside the forward-facing abseil we’ll also be hosting a Teddy Bear’s picnic in Central Square as we prepare to say goodbye to The Big Sleuth bears so there’ll be lots of fun for the whole family.

“Join us in Central Square from 12pm for the Teddy Bear’s picnic and bring along your favourite fluffy friend, find a space on the grass and pick up some food from the chilli market, there’ll also be a treasure hunt taking place from 2pm”.