Last year 87-year-old Alison Midwood - AKA Granny Bin – sparked a media storm with her intrepid flight on the UK’s longest and fastest zipwire.

She has now presented a cheque for £1,634 to ShelterBox, but Granny Bin also has a pound-saving message for everyone in the country.

It was in November when Alison, who had only just beaten cancer, flew over the Eden Project suspended on a 660 metre zipwire, travelling at speeds up to 60mph.

Alison, whose nickname Granny Bin or Binnie is a tribute to her great aunt Albinia, visited ShelterBox HQ with a group of her neighbours from Roseland Retirement Village in Tregony. Joining her were fellow zipwire daredevils Peter Milne, Barbara Mitchell, and her granddaughter Alice Jefferson from ShelterBox’s operations team.

Now Alison has lent her friendly and famous face to a ShelterBox campaign that asks everyone to donate their first new £1 coins, which came into circulation this week. The disaster relief charity is asking communities, businesses and faith groups to encourage colleagues and friends to donate the first of the new 12-sided pound coins to ShelterBox, saying: "Will you donate your first £1 coin to help families rebuild their lives after natural disaster or conflict? A £1 coin may not seem like a lot, but by harnessing the power of your community you can make a real difference. Two solar lights cost £15, and a ShelterKit costs only £35."

The £1 campaign runs from now until Easter Monday on April 17. Special fold-out mini-ShelterBox collection boxes can be applied for to help collect the new coins in workplaces and shops. More details from fundraising@shelterbox.org

In October, just before the old £1 coin ceases to be legal tender, ShelterBox will ask people to raid their old purses and piggy banks, and cash in the contents to help people in need of shelter worldwide. It is estimated that up to £1.3 billion worth of the original £1 coins may be lingering in people’s homes - but they will be worthless after the deadline.