David Roper, 78, took on the Velocity zip slide at Snowdonia in Wales where thrill seekers zip across an old slate quarry at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.

However, Mr Roper almost didn’t make the challenge – which was due to take place on Friday, August 21 – when it was cancelled due to strong winds and poor weather conditions.

But in a twist of fate, Mr Roper had turned up to the centre on Thursday, August 20 on the way back from a family wedding to be told the challenge the next day had been cancelled – and managed to be booked in that day.

The OAP told the Advertiser: “It was a fantastic day, we managed to get up to around 107 miles per hour.

“I turned up on the Thursday and they said, ‘would you manage five minutes ago?’ “They just strapped me in and put me out so it was really a rush.” Mr Roper has so far raised more than £800 to go towards Helensburgh Dementia Resources Centre, which is due to open its new premises in West Princes Street later this year.

The cause has personal momentum to Mr Roper as his late sister Joan Sowerby had Alzheimers and attended the centre.

Despite having previously overcome deep vein thrombosis and a clot on his lung, Mr Roper was prepared to literally throw himself into the challenge.

But daredevil challenges aren’t new to Mr Roper who abseiled down the Forth Road Bridge three years ago and previously took part in a parachute jump.

His recent trip though wasn’t all high velocity as he also attended grandson Stuart’s wedding in Southport on the way to doing the zip slide.

He said: “The wedding was a fantastic affair as well, we had lovely weather and there was a big Scottish contingent so it was a really good day.” And now Mr Roper has ticked his latest challenge off his bucket list, he said he would be putting thrilling challenges on the back burner for a while.

He said: “I won’t be doing anything exciting because I’ve done all the exciting things. I did my parachute jump and the doctor wouldn’t sign me off for a wing walk.

“I might do the new year’s day swim at Rhu Marina because I was one of the first people to do it – but I’ll decide nearer the time.” Anybody who wishes to contribute to Mr Roper’s cause can still do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/David-Roper4.