Mick McCarthy will descend the outside of the Billy Wright Stand at Molineux this Saturday, abseiling from roof to pitch in aid of the Wolves Foundation, the Championship club's official charity.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager, who oversaw the club's promotion to the top flight in 2009, returns to Molineux roughly 20 years after his near six-year tenure in charge. He joins broadcaster and Foundation ambassador Suzi Perry for the annual abseil event, which runs between 09:00 and 13:00 BST.
A fear of heights, and a fundraising challenge
McCarthy has not hidden his feelings about the task ahead. Speaking on BBC Radio WM earlier this week, he admitted he is "absolutely petrified" of heights, a fear he says has stayed with him since childhood and has intensified with age.
"I have been since I was little," he told listeners. "It's not been something that has recently happened, and it's got worse with my age."
He described wanting to push himself into something genuinely unfamiliar. "I've never done an abseil before because I hate heights, so I am going to do that but I am absolutely petrified," he said, adding that he believed he could cope on the day and found the prospect "awesome" in equal measure.
Community roots run deep
The Wolves Foundation sits at the heart of the club's work in the West Midlands, using the power of football to address health, education and social issues in the local community. The Foundation's annual Molineux abseil has become a fixture in its fundraising calendar, drawing supporters and public figures alike to take part.
McCarthy was described by the club as a "huge" advocate of that community work during his time in the dugout, making his return for the charity challenge a fitting one. His connection to Molineux stretches well beyond results and promotions; the Foundation's roots were nurtured during the era in which he managed the club.
BBC Radio WM presenter Mark Rhodes, also a Foundation ambassador, will take part alongside McCarthy and Perry. Rhodes will broadcast live from Molineux between 10:00 and 14:00 BST on the day, giving supporters who cannot attend an audio window into proceedings.
What it means for Wolves
For a Championship club with Wolverhampton's ambitions, the Foundation's work matters well beyond matchdays. Fundraising events of this kind sustain programmes that reach thousands of people across the region, and the involvement of a figure as recognisable as McCarthy sharpens the spotlight considerably.
The abseil draws participants from all walks of life, but a former manager willing to confront a lifelong fear in public carries a particular kind of weight. McCarthy's willingness to take part underlines the affection he still holds for the club and the community it serves.
Supporters who want to follow the event live can tune into BBC Radio WM from 10:00 BST on Saturday.
Frequently asked
- What is the Wolves Foundation abseil event?
- The Wolves Foundation abseil is an annual fundraising event at Molineux where participants climb to the top of the Billy Wright Stand and abseil down to the pitch to raise money for the club's official charity.
- When did Mick McCarthy manage Wolverhampton Wanderers?
- Mick McCarthy managed Wolverhampton Wanderers for nearly six years, a tenure that included their promotion in 2009.
- How can I follow the Wolves Foundation abseil on Saturday?
- BBC Radio WM will broadcast live from Molineux between 10:00 and 14:00 BST on Saturday, with presenter Mark Rhodes reporting from the event.