Fundraising abseil a great success!

29th September 2023

We are delighted that our fundraising abseil was a great success this September!

The Courtyard hosted its first abseil on Saturday 9 September, with 23 amazing participants raising thousands of pounds for the organisation in this 25^th anniversary year. The youngest person to take part was ten years old, and at the other end of the age range, two octogenarians braved the 30-metre wall.

David, 82, a long-time supporter and Patron of The Courtyard said:

“What an exciting experience, I loved every minute!!”

A man abseiling down the side of The Courtyard building smiling and wearing a blue helmet — Life patron & steward David Roberts descending the building!

A man standing at the top of The Courtyard listening to two abseil instructors — Chair of The Courtyard Board, Bruce Freeman, being instructed by Boulder Barn’s Sam & Ben

The abseil was run by Ben and Sam Stokes from the Boulder Barn, who offered careful instructions and huge encouragement to everyone as they descended the building. A large crowd gathered in the car park to watch and cheer the abseilers in the blazing sunshine. At the end of each abseiler’s descent there were hugs from family and friends to celebrate their achievement.

Barbara commented:

“Despite an initial frisson of fear, having reached the roof, once over the wall, I felt perfectly safe under the care and instruction of Sam and Ben and it was only when I reached the bottom of the building that I started shaking but with exhilaration, not fright!”

A young boy dressed as Spider man abseiling down The Courtyard — Spider man abseiling!

Some of the participants did the descent in costume, with Spiderman, Chucky Chicken and Cookie The Courtyard Bear raising a laugh as well as hundreds of pounds towards the grand total which is already beyond £4,500.

A man getting ready to abseil down The Courtyard building wearing a blue helmet and smiling. He is accompanied by two instructors. — All smiles!

Clare Wichbold, Fundraising Manager, said:

“I am so pleased that we were able to organise the abseil to help celebrate our 25^th anniversary. Thankyou to everyone who took part, particularly those who overcame their fear of heights to do the abseil. I take my hat off to them for their courage to step over the edge and come down the wall. And I’m really grateful to Ben and Sam who were absolutely fantastic on what was the hottest day of the heatwave. They deserved their pint in the Café Bar afterwards!”

A person dressed in a giant bear costume with 'Cookie' written across the front, waves at the camera. — Go on Cookie!

Fundraising abseil a great success!

We are delighted that our fundraising abseil was a great success this September!

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