A 74-year-old woman has raised over £1,300 and counting after completing a charity abseil.
Sue Hayes recently became a public governor for East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust and was keen to take part in their charity abseil, along with many other willing participants, to raise money for the Breast Care Blossom Appeal at Ipswich Hospital and the Cancer Centre at Colchester Hospital.
She made the terrifying descent down the 66ft of the iconic Colchester Town Hall, dressed appropriately for the town’s Superhero Day, on Saturday, September 1, raising some £1324.15 for the two hospital charities in the process.
Mrs Hayes said: “I’ve finally done it I’m so pleased, I was a bit nervous when I got up there but it’s done and I’m so happy.
“The money is still pouring in so that’s fantastic.”
She continued: “I don’t mind asking people for money when it’s for charity.
“I know so many people who have cancer and so many people close to me who have died from cancer so it’s certainly a worthwhile cause.”
Whilst Sue took part in the abseil to raise money for charity she was also keen to tick off abseiling from her bucket list.
She said: “I’ve wanted to abseil for ages, probably more than 30 years, I’ve always put it off when I’ve had the chance but now that it has come up I’ve got to go for it.”
She continued: “By no means am I a fan of danger, but about 12 years ago when I was in New Zealand I just decided to have a go at all these different things like paragliding, going on a jet-powered boat and horse riding.
“I felt so proud of myself and I knew that I had a few things I needed to do before I became too old to do them, I’ve still got a few places around the world I would love to see.”
Whilst Sue has raised an extraordinary amount of money she also hopes that the abseil will help promote our often bemoaned health service, something she is extremely passionate about.
She said: “We take the NHS for granted because we have been brought up with it, most of us have known no different.
“We moan about waiting times and this and that but we have this amazing NHS there and we don’t know much about it so in my new role I’m hoping to educate people.”
Sue has chosen to keep her Just Giving page open for a further two weeks, visit her Just Giving Page.
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