A total of 26 participants made the hair-raising descent from the top of the Cathedral’s 160ft bell tower, pausing to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of Guildford before climbing over the top and abseiling down to their supporters below! And between them, are hoping to beat the money raised last year of a fantastic £21,000 for the Hospice Care charity, which offers supportive and end of life care to patients and families affected by a serious progressive illnesses, such as cancer, in West Surrey and North East Hampshire.
Among those who took on the challenge were ten-year old Florence Luff, who was the youngest abseiler of the day, and 76-year old Dr Charles Warner who was the oldest! Phyllis Tuckwell volunteer Bob Fisher also made the abseil, along with several people whose loved ones had been cared for by Phyllis Tuckwell, and two video producers from NRG-Digital who kindly filmed each abseil – as well as their own - and conducted interviews with some of those who took part, to create a film of the day for the charity.
As a couple of spaces were still available on the day, abseil organisers were able to let one of the participants – who had enjoyed the abseil so much that she wanted to do it again – make the descent twice. The kind supporter made an additional donation for the extra abseil, and eagerly climbed the 249 steps of the Cathedral’s spiral staircase once again before harnessing up and abseiling back down!
Another surprise abseil came from a passer-by, who happened to be walking past the Cathedral when he saw abseilers descending. He immediately asked if there were any spaces left, and made a donation before nervously climbing the spiral staircase to make his rather ad-hoc abseil back down!
This ever-popular event has once again raised a fantastic amount of money for the local Hospice Care charity, which supports over 250 patients and relatives every day. As the NHS/Government only covers 20% of its costs, the charity has to raise over £15,000 a day to be able to offer its services, which is why events such as the Cathedral abseil are so important.
If you have a head for heights, who not join Phyllis Tuckwell on Saturday 10th October at London’s 2012 Olympic Park, to abseil down the Arcelormittal Orbit - the UK’s tallest structure! Registration is just £50, with a minimum sponsorship of £350. Call 01252 729446 or email fundraising@pth.org.uk to register or find out more.
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Notes for Editors:
For press enquiries and alternative pictures contact: Jen Barnes at Phyllis Tuckwell on 01252 729433 or email jen.barnes@pth.org.uk
