A daredevil former Territorial Army recruit has signed up to take part in the Hospice of St Francis abseil next month.
John Walker, 64, who suffered from a stroke in 2002, decided to relive some of the skills he learnt training with the TA almost 25 years ago and take the plunge for the charity.
The former Kodak employee, who lives in Boxmoor, spent time abseiling in army-style camps whilst on treks and mountain training exercises many years ago.
Says John: ”It was such a great challenge at the time I thought well, why not do it again - my age shouldn’t stop me and the fact I am slightly disabled after my stroke means I just see this as an even bigger challenge.
”I like supporting charities and the Hospice of St Francis is a local organisation that needs our support. This event brought back memories and I am getting sponorship from friends already so that is great.”
The Hospice of St Francis is looking for volunteers to literally ’go over the top for the hospice’ and abseil 100 foot down the Dixons Retail building in Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, all for a good cause of course!
Registration costs just £25 with a minimum sponsorship requirement of just £100 - that’s just 10 friends sponsoring you £10 each - simple! (Under 18’s need to pay just £20 to register and raise a minimum of £50).
Community Fundraiser Emma Day commented: ”John’s entry just shows that anyone can take part in this fantastic event either as a personal challenge or just as a fun thing to do whilst raising sponsorship at the same time!”
She continued: ”Last year we hosted this event for the first time and were thrilled with the amount of people that took part. It raised more than £15,500 and this year we are hoping to smash that target! So if you are planning a family day out with a difference, a team building event or simply fancy a challenge before the year is out, then sign up!”
All the money raised will go towards helping patients and their families coping with a life limiting illness. The Hospice of St Francis provides a range of services in the hospice and beyond, for patients and families living with life-limiting illness in Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempsted, St Albans and surrounding villages. To sign up or for further information call 01442 869555 or email fundraising@stfrancis.org.uk. You can also register online by going to www.stfrancis.org.uk/abseil2011reg
Berkhamsted based Hospice of St Francis is the only inpatient unit with special facilities that allow patients to be cared for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
