Mother-of-two Hannah Churchyard took on an Extreme Abseil challenge to raise funds for Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity at the weekend. Here, she explains her personal reasons for abseiling down Ipswich Hospital’s 135-foot maternity tower
Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity’s Extreme Abseil has so far raised more than £41,000 for East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust’s (ESNEFT) hospitals and community sites, with donations continuing to come in. The iconic event took place over the weekend and saw both individuals and corporate teams take on the adrenaline-pumping challenge by abseiling down Ipswich Hospital’s 135-foot maternity tower.
Money raised will help pay for cutting-edge technology, as well as extra touches which help patients and carers have the best possible experience when using NHS services. It will also support research and innovation, in turn helping to further improve healthcare.
Hannah Churchyard, who took on the challenge, says: ‘It was an amazing experience. I jumped at the chance to be part of this occasion because the hospital’s incredible doctors, nurses and midwives saved my life after I suffered from an ectopic pregnancy in 2020. They then went on to safely deliver our two baby boys, Albert in 2021 and Stanley in 2022, and we will forever be thankful to them.’
Participants also included NHS staff, such as Jill Clarkson, a stroke rehabilitation assistant based at Ipswich Hospital. Talking about her experience as she reached the drop zone, she says: ‘I had a great time and really enjoyed it!”
Cait Pilkington, the charity’s events manager, adds: ‘We are thrilled with the amount of support we received. The participants showed exceptional courage and determination, and their efforts will mean a great deal to patients and their families.
‘We would like to thank everyone who supported the event, including our sponsors and the volunteers who made it all possible.’
Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity supports East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust’s vision to continue to improve the patient experience and be an outstanding provider of health services.
For more information about the charity and upcoming events, visit the Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity website.
Featured image: Hannah Churchyard and her two-year-old son, Albert. Both images supplied by Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity
Leave a Reply