A first time event for us and what a big success! On Sunday 14th May individuals overcame their fears and abseiled off the Tyne Bridge. The objective, to raise awareness of the chronic condition and the work of ME North East whilst also raising much needed funds. Co-coordinated by Adventure Challenge Events and with the help of our fantastic support team the day went to plan with many family members and friends also coming along to support loved ones.
We were extremely fortunate to have a total of 70 brave people all wanting to partake in the abseil with each and everyone having their own personal reasons for wanting to complete the challenge. Participants descended with a sheet of paper attached to their backs, highlighting one of the many symptoms that can occur with the illness, hoping to educate and increase awareness of those hidden symptoms other than ‘Tiredness’. Sheila and Jennifer were in the first group to go down and definitely overcame great fears and set the platform for the remaining participants. We had a number of our young members who desperately wanted to take part in the event. Firstly Adam Hedley who actually came along to watch his dad and grandma and decided on the day to take part! Adam also appeared on the Sunday night edition of Look North having been filmed completing the abseil earlier in the day. Rachel Byrne’s sister Paige also decided on the day to take the challenge and overcame a few wobbles to complete the challenge. Kate Richardson and Rebecca Griffiths both took it in their stride and made it look very easy!
In among the participants there was also Jim Purcell an 85 year old who only 3 weeks before completed the London Marathon! Two catholic priests Father Jim O’Keefe and Father Clement Lee who not only raised a substantial amount of money but who also got us coverage on their diocese website.
And finally we cannot thank enough John Mallett who upon hearing Fr Lee talk about the abseil during Mass one week decided not only to sponsor him but to actually take part – much to the surprise of his family and friends!!! John has a grandson who has recently been diagnosed with ME and I’m sure you will all understand that John wanted to do whatever he could to support his grandson, raise awareness of the illness and at the same time gain sponsorship for ME North East. John has raised a staggering total of £698…… we cannot thank him enough.
As you all know during National ME Awareness Week we try to increase the awareness around the region and with this event we did just that. For the first time we had a banner made and were able to attach this to the railings of the Tyne Bridge for all to see. All our volunteers were wearing our new black and white T-shirts highlighting the charity and we were delighted with the media coverage we achieved.
A big thank you to Adventure Challenge Events, all of our participants and volunteers on the day. We had a day to remember, one which raised awareness during a very important week.
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