‘Abseil down Ilkley Cow and Calf Rocks with us on International Women’s Day’ say Christine Talbot and these pioneering Yorkshire women
Four high-profile Yorkshire women are asking people to join them for a collective abseil down the Cow and Calf Rocks near Ilkley on International Women’s Day in aid of women’s employment charity Smart Works Leeds.
Leading the abseil challenge are journalist, broadcaster and presenter Christine Talbot; model, podcaster and body confidence campaigner Rachel Peru; model and pro-age activist Annie Stirk, and model and fashion events organiser Bernadette Gledhill. Together they form Primed For Life, a collective promoting the visibility and wellbeing of women of all ages.
“I can’t wait to take up this challenge, especially to highlight such a good cause,” said Christine. “Smart Works is all about making the most of opportunities, empowering women and, to an extent, stepping into the unknown - as making that leap off the Cow and Calf rocks will be.”
The abseil, which is on Sunday, March 8, is part of a programme of events for International Women’s Day 2026 announced today by Smart Works Leeds, a charity helping women to access employment in the region, with Leeds First Direct Bank Arena as headline sponsor.
The campaign will bring together empowering storytelling, sport and community events all designed to celebrate women and raise essential funds for Smart Works Leeds’ life-changing employment support services.
Across the week, as well as the spectacular abseil at the Cow and Calf Rocks in Ilkley, audiences can look forward to a breakfast panel at Leeds First Direct Arena; a fashion sale at Bradford’s Darley Street Market; a networking event at Yorkshire Building Society; a Women in Tech breakfast with Accenture; a team padel tournament; a style event with John Lewis, and an exclusive Women in Property Afternoon Tea, all extending the campaign into workplaces and communities across the region.
Smart Works Leeds is also charity partner at the Yorkshire Voices Conference. Smart Works Leeds chair Tracy Fletcher said: “International Women’s Day is a moment to recognise the resilience, talent and ambition of women everywhere. Our 2026 programme is designed to inspire, connect and empower while raising crucial funds to help even more women transform their lives through employment.
“It’s a great opportunity for Yorkshire Businesses to demonstrate their commitments to gender equality, social mobility and economic empowerment.”
Leeds First Direct Bank Arena head of premium sales Lisa Turton said: “As a major Yorkshire venue, we believe strongly in using our platform to champion equality, opportunity and positive social impact.
“This programme brings together empowerment, community and action, everything International Women’s Day stands for.”
The Primed for Life team is encouraging people to join them by signing up to the exhilarating abseil challenge and sharing their progress. Tickets here
Rachel Peru said: “I’m half excited, half scared of taking part in the campaign as my fear of heights is real.”
Bernadette Gledhill added: “I’m a little bit scared too. It’s been the perfect motivation to restart my fitness for 2026 with a new focus.”
Annie Stirk said: “We’re absolutely thrilled (and only mildly terrified). I’ve faced my fear of heights once before on BBC2’s Take A Hike.”
Smart Works uses high quality clothing and one-to-one coaching to help unemployed women fulfil their potential, get the job and transform their lives.