Knight in Shining Armour to Scale New Heights for Hospice
March 9, 2011
People walking past Abberley Clock Tower in Worcestershire this Saturday could be forgiven for thinking there might be a damsel in distress trapped in the historic building.
In fact, they would be witnessing knight-in-shining-armour Rob Balding abseiling down the 161ft tower to raise money for Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.
Twenty-six-year-old re-enactment enthusiast Rob, from the ‘Birmingham Vikings’, will be joining a group of people taking part in the challenge in a bid to bring in funds for the charity which cares for people with life-limiting illness across Birmingham and Sandwell.
Rob, who’s on course to raise over £400, says he’s taking on the challenge, as he wants to give something back and because he loves abseiling.
“Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is a fantastic cause to support, and raising money has been no problem, everyone I’ve asked to sponsor me has been so generous. I also love abseiling and had hoped to take part in the hospice’s Festive Freefall at Star City in December but was too late to enter,” the Student Union manager at Newman University College said.
Hospice Head of Fundraising and Marketing Caroline Taylor said there was still time for people to sign up for the abseil.
“I would like to thank everyone who has signed up so far and urge more people to register this week to help make a real difference to families in Birmingham and Sandwell who are coping with life-limiting illness,” she said.
Caroline added: “Not only are the abseilers in for a really exhilarating time this weekend, but with Rob in his ‘dark age’ outfit, it should be a lot of fun.”
To register for Abberley Abseil please contact Charlotte Sudbury on 0121 472 1191 or email charlotte.sudbury@bsmh.org.uk. Further information and a downloadable booking form is available at www.bsmh.org.uk/abberleyabseil.php
Since its launch in 1979, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice has cared for tens of thousands of people with life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer, motor neurone disease and MS.
With around 52 percent of the hospice’s budget reliant on public goodwill, community fundraising is crucial to ensuring its highly specialised services can continue to be offered to the people of Birmingham and Sandwell.
In addition to a 25-bed inpatient unit, Birmingham St Mary’s boasts a 20-place day hospice and provides community care to people who wish to stay in their own homes.
The hospice also supports relatives with bereavement preparation, physiotherapy tuition and counselling in addition to many other services.
Annual running costs stand at £6.3 million, with around £1 million being raised in the hospice’s shops and £2.7 million via fundraising. The remainder comes from the NHS.
Birmingham St Mary’s nurses, often referred to by patients and relatives as ‘angels’, are renowned for going that extra mile to ensure people with terminal illnesses enjoy the best possible quality of life.
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