Haunted heights abseil raises a fantastic £11,500

On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 of October, daredevils took part in a 100ft, free-fall, night abseil at West Orchards Shopping Centre, Coventry and raised £11,500 for CLIC Sargent's work with children and young people with cancer.

16 year-old Beckii from Solihull took part in the abseil on Saturday. Beckii and her family have been supported by CLIC Sargent, as she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 2011. She said “CLIC Sargent has been there for us since I was diagnosed and although I was really scared about the abseil, I wanted to do it and give something back to the charity that provided me with such vital support.”

Beckii’s parents, Jan and Chrys, were there to encourage her and decided to sign up and take part. They said “We are so proud of Beckii. She is an inspiration to us and many. Ellen, our CLIC Sargent Social Worker, has been there for all of us from the start with emotional, financial and practical support. Having the charity there for the whole family makes such a difference during this challenging time of our lives.”

The £11,500 raised at the Haunted Heights abseil could pay for a CLIC Sargent Nurse for three months. CLIC Sargent Nurses provide specialist care in hospital and in the community. Having a nurse visit at home or school to take blood or change dressings means less disruption to a family’s everyday life.

Noemie Salvaudon, CLIC Sargent Event Fundraising Manager said “I want to thank Beckii and her family and everyone that took part in the abseil and helped us to raise £11,500. Lack of funds means that CLIC Sargent can only support two out of three children or young people with cancer and that’s why your support makes such a difference.”

CLIC Sargent provides clinical, practical and emotional support for children and young people with cancer, and their families, from the point of diagnosis. All proceeds from the abseil will help CLIC Sargent provide vital services, including nurses and care professionals in hospital, grants to help families meet extra costs and free Homes from Home accommodation close to the main children’s cancer centres. 

Laura Cangelosi, from the recruitment agency Unitemps at the University of Warwick, was impressed by the work of the charity and decided to take part. She said “CLIC Sargent does such an amazing work in the community, I decided to take part in the abseil. Unitemps have been encouraging me generously. This was a big challenge for me and I’m really happy I was able to help children and young people with cancer and their families with their support.”

Our next abseil in the Midlands will be at the QMC hospital where one of our service team is based. To register your interest in this event, please email Noemie at noemie.salvaudon@clicsargent.org.uk