Brave fundraisers have gone over the edge for this year’s Lister Abseil, with 118 participants taking on the 11-storey Stevenage tower block on April 24 and April 25 and raising an impressive £40,000 in support of Hertfordshire hospitals.
The annual event was organised by East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity, which raises funds for projects beyond NHS provision to support patients at Lister Hospital, Hertford County Hospital, New QEII Hospital and Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood. Among those taking part were former patients, local residents and NHS staff, including teams from the neonatal unit and Lister Cancer Centre, all abseiling to give back to the hospitals that have supported them.
Children’s nurse Catherine Spreckley said: “That was fab! My legs were shaking uncontrollably going over the edge at the beginning but after that, I loved it! I wanted to take on a challenge for my 50th birthday and what better challenge than abseiling down the hospital where I have spent almost half my 30-year career as a children’s nurse.”
She added she was fundraising for the charity’s Children’s Big Build appeal, which aims to transform a new facility at Lister Hospital into a modern, welcoming space for children and young people.
East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity director Eloise Huddleston thanked all involved, saying it was 'fantastic to see so many people come together, many with very personal reasons for taking part, and giving something back to our hospitals'.
She added the money raised will help fund new equipment, improved spaces and additional services to enhance patient care across the trust’s hospitals, making a real difference every day.
For more information and photos from the event, check out the charity’s Facebook page.
