Challenge for Charity – Urban Abseil
On the 30th April Nicola from our Accounts Department and Luke from our Technical Department abseiled down Huddersfield University Central Services Building. They saw Kirklees from a whole new perspective – the 11th floor of the University of Huddersfield to be precise, descending over 100ft down the side of the Central Services Building.
The event was run by Kirkwood Hospice as part of their ‘Challenge for Charity 2016’ drive. Kirkwood Hospice opened on 18th March 1987 and provides specialist care, free of charge, to adults in Kirklees with advanced, progressive illnesses at any time from diagnosis to the end of life, respecting their individual needs and wishes. Care and support is also provided for their family members, friends and carers, both during the illness and after death.
We are proud to support Kirkwood Hospice and are pleased that two members of our team were brave enough to take on this challenge.
Luke said [quote] On the day of the abseil there was a slight delay as the caretakers had taken the keys home (which unlocked the door to the 11th floor) the night previous. “Fortunately” they had managed to force their way out onto the roof and the abseil could still take place. I was taken up in the lift from the ground floor foyer with a group of 4 others and I was told I was number 3 out of the 5 to take the plunge.
On arrival to the 11th floor we made our way to an office at the end of the corridor which looked out onto the roof! Within this office we were shown how to put our harness on and we were given a helmet and told to make our way across the roof toward a long haired chap who was on a raised platform and scaffold.
Before anyone could abseil we were briefly told what to expect which was along the lines of “going over the edge is the hard part, the rest is easy”.
I looked over the edge down toward the people below to try see if I could see anyone who had come to watch me, from the height we were at it was difficult to identify anyone but I did manage to single out family and friends. I gave a quick wave, and made my way back away from the edge, toward the other participants who were all looking very nervous by this point.
My turn came and I decided to get on with it and I ascended up the ladders onto the platform where I was then attached to my safety rope and told to lean over the edge… easier said than done I thought, I double checked with the instructor that I was safely connected and I eventually let go of the handrail and began to lean back. The instructor then pointed out that I had to step down to a metal scaffold pole below and I remember looking down to see where my feet where and I remember feeling extremely dizzy in doing so. Eventually, I managed to step onto this pole, and then onto the edge other the building and before I knew it was walking down the building. Realising that the rope had me and I was not going to fall I began to enjoy the abseil and pushed off from the wall and took in some of the views.
It was extremely nerve racking and at times I wondered why on earth I had signed up for it but during and after the abseil I felt brilliant, it was one of the best things I had done in my life and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I managed to raise £316.03 online, which includes the £40.00 signup fee which was kindly paid for by the company.[/quote]
Nicola said [quote] I’ve always enjoy trying new things and with the help and support of the Company, I have to date undertaken two abseils (John Smith Stadium and most recently the one at University of Huddersfield) and a 15,000ft Skydive at Hibaldstow Airport, all with a view to supporting local charities.
My most recent abseil at the University of Huddersfield was for Kirkwood Hospice, who do an amazing job in providing specialist care, free of charge, to adults in Kirklees with advanced, progressive illnesses at any time from diagnosis to the end of life, respecting their individual needs and wishes.
My husband and four year old son came to watch me; my son was super excited that his mum was walking down a wall like Spiderman.
I am not one for heights unless I know I am tethered and secure, so looking over the top of the building I was very nervous and wondered why I’d volunteered for this. Once I was tied to the safety line, I was happier, the first step off is always the hardest, most nerve racking moment (particular when the first step down is higher than the length of your leg!). Once I started descending any sign of nerves just disappeared and I felt like a pro walking down the wall to the cheers of my husband, son and staff from Kirkwood Hospice.[/quote]