THE Abseil raises over £38,000 for hospital causes

A sunny September day in 2013 saw 150 people taking part in our hospital abseil. The event raised over £38,000 for hospital causes, including Transplant, the Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Group (supporting women with breast cancer related surgery), the Heartfelt Appeal, the Oxford Children's Hospital and the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.

The hospital radio team kept the tunes pumping, and a crowd cheered throughout the day helping to create a really special atmosphere, as two by two, the fundraisers descended the 100 foot wall at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

First on the ropes were staff and supporters of the Transplant Development Fund. 74 year old Sylvia Franklin from Botley abseiled with her daughter, Melanie Burns. Sylvia explained: "Melanie transports dialysis patients to the hospital, so it was a cause we wanted to support; also abseiling has always been on my bucket list! I thought I'd be really nervous, but once I got over the ledge I actually really enjoyed it and the view was fantastic."

Consultant Niki Petrie, and a team of staff from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, abseiled with patients and family members in support of Oxford Breast Reconstruction Awareness Group, which helps women through breast cancer related surgery.

The group was dressed in beautifully decorated bras. Nicola explains: "It's been a fantastic day and we have been overwhelmed by the support today."

Emma and Steven Radley organised a team of 22 people to abseil raising funds for the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. The family are now close to having raised £50,000 in memory of their son William, who died aged just 4 and a half months.

Another large group, called The Brackley Suspenders, abseiled for the Children's Hospital, where several of their group have had children looked after.

Also abseiling for the Children's Hospital was 74 year old Bill Humphries, tackling his third abseil, and this time he roped in his son John to take part. Bill's 16 year old grandson, Oliver, who came to cheer them on, was treated for a malignant brain tumour when he was 12.

Bill said: "I never had chance to do this sort of thing as a boy so I am making up for it now. I love doing the abseil and it is a wonderful opportunity to give something back to the hospital that has looked after Oliver."

A team from South Oxfordshire District Council also took part, together with members of the Pullen family, abseiling in memory of Maggie Pullen for the Heartfelt Appeal.

Event organiser, Graham Brogden, said: "This was one of the busiest abseils we've ever had, and we are delighted that so many people managed to conquer their fears and take on the 100 foot wall. THE Abseil is a wonderful way for people to show their support for the hospital causes closest to their hearts, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part and all those who supported them."