Fundraisers scale new heights for Sunderland Royal Hospital

City Hospitals Sunderland Charity hosted its first signature event, with 45 staff and members of the public abseil down the hospital building.

To date, the event has raised £7,000 but Andy Pestell, fundraiser for the charity, believes the abseilers will raise at least £9,000 once everyone has completed the fundraising.

“I’m really proud of everyone who took part. Everyone had a personal reason for getting involved, and many of them were facing a strong fear of heights to show how much they care,” said Andy.

“Not only will all the money they’ve raised make a huge difference across the hospital, allowing the many areas they fundraised for look at extra they can do for patients they couldn’t without our charity – they have made a huge impact on our Sunderland NHS staff who work day in and day out, by showing them how much they believe in what they do.”

Support for the event wasn’t just from the participants themselves, but the trust’s Fire and Safety department too, who generously went above and beyond in their duties to ensure they event could happen, and of course help keep everyone safe.

The 45 staff and members of the public have raised support for City Hospitals Sunderland’s Alexandra Centre, Cancer Information and Support Centre, Care of the Elderly Wards, Ear Nose and Throat department, Eye Infirmary, Neonatal Unit, Paediatric department, Phoenix Unit, Radiology, Renal Unit, and Urology department.

Among the participants were Sunderland councillors Michael Mordey, Jill Fletcher, Linda Williams and Rebecca Atkinson, who were inspired to take part after city mayor Doris MacKnight chose the hospital’s Phoenix Unit as one of her three chosen charities for her year as mayor, alongside Alzheimer’s Society in Sunderland and Castletown Scouts Group.

The money raised from the event will now be invested in patient care across the NHS Trust, such as making patient areas more comfortable, or even investing in new equipment that wouldn’t have been available otherwise.

With the charity’s first signature event a definite success thanks to the generous 45 men and women who took part, more events are being planned for 2018 and the future.

Those interested in getting involved with the charity should email Andy at [email protected].