Daredevil takes on another challenge (From Swindon Advertiser)

Daredevil takes on another challenge

10:10pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Scott D'Arcy

JUST days after his crazy crater stunt Jake the Juggler is at it again, but this time with a feat of endurance rather than peril.

Circus performer Jacob Hirsch-Holland, who sparked criticism earlier this week for highlining over a hole left by a decommissioned gas holder, will be attempting to walk 5km on a slackline stretched for 50m between two trees.

The 25-year-old is hoping to raise money for a Performers Without Borders charity project in Nicaragua, working with children in orphanages to teach them circus skills and performing arts.

On Tuesday Jake and three friends, who go by the name of Team Land Pirates, were spotted by a resident at the site in Cobden Road and ushered away the by police as they were just packing away at 8am.

Jake, who was crowned the first UK Slacklining champion last year, has said his next challenge will not be a different test of his skills as he aims to walk the 50m one inch-wide line – suspended 2m in the air –- 100 times at Town Gardens in Old Town today.

He said: “The plan is to just go down to the place where we train in Town Gardens and do the challenge over the course of the day.

“It is going to be very hard and will probably take all day but it is a different type of challenge to the highlining the other day. “With slacklining the longer the line the harder it is to walk and all the pressure goes on your shoulders because you use them to balance.

“I’m doing for the charity called Perfomers Without Borders, which is sending me and eight others to Nicaragua to teach circus skills to youngsters at orphanages.

“These are kids who have lost their parents or their parents cannot afford to support them and by teaching them circus skills they can learn and gain confidence.

“We are hoping to take equipment out there for them to leave a bit of a legacy, because there’s no point going out there and teaching them this stuff if we then leave with all the equipment.

“We are hoping to raise as much money as we can.” To sponsor Jake visit www.uk.virginmoney giving.com/jacobhirschholland.