Anna to take on Superhero Abseil fundraiser

Anna to take on Superhero Abseil fundraiser

1 May 2024

A LOCAL woman is getting set to abseil one of Northern Ireland’s tallest buildings to raise money for a charity dear to her family’s heart.

Anna Robinson, from Moneyreagh, is one of the brave people taking on Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Take on the Tower Superhero Abseil.

The abseil will see the supporters climb down Belfast City Hospital’s 190ft famous yellow tower block on Saturday, May 11, and again Saturday, September 7.

Anna is encouraging others to join her in the challenge to help raise vital funds for this important charity.

“I am doing the abseil for Friends of the Cancer Centre as it’s a charity close to my heart,” Anna said.

“My younger brother Ben was impacted by cancer in the summer of 2022, when he was told he had Ewing Sarcoma in his pelvis. Because of this, Ben underwent seven months of chemotherapy in Belfast and travelled to Manchester, where he received an advanced form of radiotherapy called proton beam therapy.

“One of the major side effects of his cancer was his lack of movement in his right foot, caused by nerve damage within his body. However, during this time one of the main sources of support for Ben and our family as a whole, was the work of the staff from Cancer Centre in Belfast.”

Anna continued: “They would visit him daily and the nurses managed to make him smile, even whilst undergoing intense treatment.

“Friends of the Cancer Centre play such a vital role in supporting the work of the staff who treated Ben so well throughout these months.

“They cared for him to the best of their ability and showed him he was still valued, even when ‘isolated’ from outside of the hospital.”

She added: “By taking part in the abseil, I hope to raise money for this great charity as I know it will make such a difference to so many other families.”

For 39 years, Friends of the Cancer Centre has been dedicated to making a real and meaningful difference to cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland.

The charity is there to enhance the quality of patient care and support through its life-changing and life-saving work which includes funding additional nurses, supporting local research and providing practical support, such as financial grants.

Friends of the Cancer Centre relies on the generosity of the local community and all money donated stays in Northern Ireland, directly benefiting patients and their families.

Ciara Bainbridge, corporate and events fundraising officer at Friends of the Cancer Centre, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to hold our annual abseil and are calling on everyone to get involved.

“Our abseil will give people the unique opportunity to descend one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable buildings, whilst taking in breath-taking views across Belfast.

“Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to support our loved ones and local people who have been affected by cancer.”

Registration for the Take on the Tower Superhero Abseil is £35 per person with a minimum sponsorship of £150, which could provide six hours of nursing care from one of Friends of the Cancer Centre’s specialist nurses.

Ciara added: “The abseil is one of the highlights in our calendar and the money raised through the sponsorship will go on to help families in Northern Ireland.

“It’s thanks to the generous support we receive from events like this that we are able to continue to deliver our vital life-changing work across Northern Ireland.”

To register to take part in the abseil, visit www.friendsofthecancercentre.com or call (028) 9069 9393.