Dozens of daredevils abseiled down a 100ft wall at Leicester Royal Infirmary at the weekend to raise funds for charity.
A total of 125 people took part in Leicester Hospitals Charity’s The BIG Abseil event, and have raised a massive £34,000 so far of the £35,000 target set to raise money for Leicester’s Hospitals.
The BIG Abseil is one of the charity’s extreme events that involve participants abseiling down the 100ft wall on the Windsor Building at Leicester Royal Infirmary. Participants took part on Saturday and Sunday without any preparation and turned up for their chance to step over the ledge all in the name of charity.
Rebecca Johnson from Mawsley took on the challenge this year to support Ward 31 at the Glenfield Hospitals who cared for Rebecca’s mum Denise until her passing in May this year.
Ward 31 is where patients recovering from cardiac surgery and Denise spent three months at the Glenfield Hospital. The cleaners to the consultants on ward 31 showed so much kindness, they all became close friends to Rebecca and her family during her mum’s stay.
Rebecca said: “The staff showed so much joy and kindness in their work that I can’t even begin to explain how amazing all of them are! I can’t thank them enough for being there not just for my mum but also for the family.”
Manroop Dhillon who works for the Medical Records team at Leicester’s Hospitals took on the wall and raised money for the Spiritual Care Appeal in memory of her mum. The appeal is to help raise money to redevelop existing spaces and to bring a brand-new centre for people of faith and non-faith to access support for their spiritual well-being during their stay or visit to the hospital.
Manroop said: “I was born in this hospital; I work here, and this was a great opportunity to give back. Faith is a big part of my life, and love, kindness and care make the world go round.
“The appeal to refurbish the existing prayer rooms and spaces at Leicester Royal Infirmary and to build a new chapel will be available for everyone from all walks of life, religions, and beliefs. This is something different and I wanted to raise money for it. It will help patients, my colleagues, and the community to have somewhere for reflection, prayer, and support away from the clinical hospital wards.”
Leading the event was Kamlesh Mistry, Community and Events Fundraising Manager for the Charity and he said: “It’s been another successful two days, we’re so proud of all the participants, they’ve all done so well. Their strength to do something different to help others is amazing.
“The support for this event has been overwhelming from individuals, families, friends and work colleagues from local businesses all taking part. Fundraisers have chosen which area of the hospital will benefit from the money they’ve raised, and they should be proud of what they’ve achieved. Well done everyone.”
