Coventry man suspended in box for a week

A man is being suspended in a box 25ft (7.62m) off the ground for a week to raise money for charity.

Stuart Kettell, 45, from Coventry, is living with only a blanket, a portable toilet and a bucket to lower for food and drink in Broadgate in the city.

The event for Macmillan Cancer Support will start on Sunday evening.

He has done three "madcap" challenges since 2007, including travelling 1,000 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats on a penny farthing bicycle.

'Pretty hot'

The initiative in 2008 came after he flew around Britain in the previous year in a microlight straight after his training.

In 2009 he travelled from France in a kayak.

Mr Kettell, who has raised more than £20,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support over the years, organised a 6ft (1.83m) by 4ft (1.22m) box for his latest challenge.

People and companies are supplying meals for free, but he is not having any entertainment, such as books or laptops.

Mr Kettell said he had tried to think of something "a bit wacky".

He said: "I just came up with something new. People like watching other people's lives on TV.

"It's going to be a tough challenge mentally and physically. It's going to be quite boring sitting there."

Mr Kettell, who is due to start at 1700 GMT, stressed he would be completing a full week in the box.

He said: "The reason it's [finishing at] 6pm next Sunday is we put the clocks forward next weekend, so I didn't want people saying I hadn't done the full week."

Mr Kettell, from Binley, who has a mobile phone for emergencies, said as he was setting up he was getting "lots of nice positive sponsorship".

He has raised nearly £3,000 so far for this year's scheme and said he hoped to collect more than £5,000.

As Mr Kettell was preparing, he said: "It's pretty hot in there.

"There's not that much ventilation so it could be a bit uncomfortable.

"I think it'll get cold at night."

What an amazing man he is - and I wish him good luck - and hope he raises plenty of money for this worthy charity.

Mrs Poundshop and I made a small £ donation along with some biscuits and strawberry milkshake today.

Mrs Poundshop and I made a small £ donation along with some biscuits and strawberry milkshake today.

Well done to your and your OH !!!! Hope he gets lots of support