Daredevil George Takes Abseil Plunge for Hospice
Nov 20, 2010
A big-hearted Birmingham pensioner who beat cancer over a decade ago is set to take on a daredevil plunge in aid of people who now find themselves in a similar situation.
Seventy-year-old George Beet, of Sheldon, has signed up for Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice Festive Freefall at Star City on Saturday, December 11.
The retired club steward, who volunteers as a driver at the hospice, will be descending the 118ft from the M6 Junction 6 entertainment complex’s central atrium with his daughter Michelle, aged 40, of Acocks Green.
Together they hope to raise hundreds of pounds for the Selly Park-based charity, which provides palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses across Birmingham and Sandwell.
Eleven years ago George contracted oral cancer and underwent a total of 11 operations to treat the disease. During surgery he came close to dying three times. Fortunately he bounced back and now lives life to the full.
George said: “After coming so close to death I do everything I can to make the most of life. I got the taste for adrenaline pumping activities a few years ago after going on a rollercoaster in America then another in Blackpool.
“So when I heard about the Festive Freefall I thought to myself: ‘I’ve just got to have a go’. I wasn’t sure what my wife would say about it, but thankfully she’s agreed that I should do it.
“It’s for a great cause too. I work as a volunteer driver at the hospice each Monday and I thoroughly enjoy it, so am really happy to help raise some money for the organisation.”
In his volunteering role, George provides a vital lifeline ferrying patients to and from Birmingham St Mary’s Day Hospice.
Daughter Michelle is also looking forward to doing the abseil, albeit nervously: “It is quite a daunting thought dropping all that way without even a wall to lean against. But when dad said he was signing up for it, I couldn’t let him do it alone. I expect it’s going to be a really exhilarating day.”
Festive Freefall organiser Charlotte Sudbury was delighted to hear of George’s and Michelle’s participation.
“It’s great to see people of all ages getting involved in Festive Freefall. George’s story is remarkable; he’s a great example to us all. I’m looking forward to seeing him and Michelle on December 11. We’re going to have a fantastic day and raise much-needed funds for Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.
To take part in Festive Freefall contact Charlotte on 0121 472 1191, email charlotte.sudbury@bsmh.org.uk, or go to www.bsmh.org.uk/fundraising/events/freefall.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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