Falmouth Docks’ boss Peter Child was literally sent over the edge last week, but it wasn’t the stresses of the job that led to him jumping off the side of a drydock, but more the desire to raise money for charity.

The managing director of A&P Falmouth tested his nerves when he joined dozens of others taking their turn to abseil down the largest dry-dock on the south coast.

Mr Child and Adrian Richards, chief executive of BF Adventure in Penryn, were the first pair to test the ropes 50 feet above the huge drydock, which is 40 metres wide and 253 metres long – the size of two Wembley football pitches.

The event, which raised money for BF Adventure and All As One Orphanage in Sierra Leone, A&P’s charity of the year, also celebrated the ongoing relationship between A&P and BF Adventure.

The two companies share the same vision for supporting young people in Cornwall, including a focus on apprenticeships and the opportunities they provide.

Mr Child said: “Given my lack of head for heights this was a definite challenge to be met, but the BF team were excellent and we are already planning the next event with them. Thanks to Gregg, Naomi and my team for organising the day.

“We are proud to continue our association with BF Adventure by sponsoring them, using their facilities and helping with work experience. We strongly believe that investing in sustainable, highly skilled jobs is the future of our dockyard, which is why we place so much value in training and apprenticeships.”

Since 1989, 120 apprentices and 33 adult trainees have been recruited in four main trade disciplines – marine engineering, electrical, steel fabrication/welding and pipe fabrication/fitting. The latest five apprentices to join A&P Falmouth, who all tackled the abseil, started work in September 2013, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to Cornwall and the future of the dockyard. A further three apprentices are planned for September this year .

Mr Richards said: “I’d like to thank Peter and all the team at A&P Falmouth for their ongoing support of BF Adventure and for helping to organise and participating in the charity abseil. I’m glad that we were also able to support fundraising for A&P’s other chosen charity, All As One Orphanage, and I hope that everyone enjoyed their abseiling adventure.”