Despite feeling nervous from 20 metres up, a Kalgoorlie-Boulder CEO will plunge 130 metres for Variety WA

A Kalgoorlie-Boulder chief executive is taking a nerve-racking plunge down a Perth CBD building to raise funds for a children’s charity. Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Simone de Been will join hundreds of “plungers” as they abseil down Perth’s Central Park Tower while raising funds for 12 different charities. Despite feeling nervous overlooking the city from 20 metres above the ground at the top of the Museum of the Goldfields’ headframe this week, Ms de Been remained determined to conquer the 130m abseil. Ms de Been will take the plunge with her team — the appropriately named “The Jumping Beans” which includes her children Jessie and Daniel, along with her daughter’s boyfriend Sam Symons. The team’s plunge will support Variety WA, with her fundraising effort to contribute to the organisation’s $60,000 goal across their teams. Funds raised would help up to 70 children living with disability to access essential equipment to help them communicate, get mobile, learn play and laugh. Having worked with Variety WA through the KBCCI for more than a decade, Ms de Been said the cause was close to her heart. “It gives back a lot to people who can’t afford things and need that little bit extra to support their children,” she said. “I think Variety means the world to people in Kalgoorlie, they’ve given a lot back to the Goldfields.” The Central Park Plunge has raised more than $4.2 million during the past eight years. Plunges started descending the tower on Friday and will continue through to Sunday in support of diverse charitable causes including Anglicare, Fiona Wood Foundation, Guide Dogs WA, and Activ Foundation. The Jumping Beans team had raised more than $9100 of its $10,000 goal by Friday afternoon, with donations open at the Variety WA website.