Father's Day abseilers support causes across OUH
21/06/2016
This article is more than seven years old.
A sunny Sunday in June 2016 saw over 120 people abseiling for their hospital charity, including many dads who gave up their Father's Day lie-ins to support the event.
The abseil raised funds for causes across OUH and brought patients, staff and families together to tackle the 100 foot wall at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
The Churchill Hospital's Day Surgery Unit had a large team taking part, including throat cancer patient Iain Belton and his daughter Philly Futter.
Iain explained: "My daughter was really nervous and I am incredibly proud that she managed to get down.
"I've done abseiling before, but it is a bit different off a building, but once I got going I really enjoyed it. We went down side by side so I could keep encouraging Philly and I'm so glad and proud that we did it.
"It was such a good chance to say thank you to the wonderful staff at the Churchill. I can't really find the words to thank them - they are absolutely brilliant.
"They make everyone feel like they are the only patient there - I really can't speak highly enough of them. Doing this today was my way of thanking them all."
Sarah Vaccari from the hospital charity added:
"Watching the caring way that Iain encouraged his daughter down during the abseil was such a wonderful show of fatherly love - perfect for a Father's Day event. They had everyone cheering them on all the way down and have also raised a massive sum for the Day Surgery Unit at the Churchill. We'd like to thank them - and all our abseilers - wholeheartedly for all their efforts.
"It’s been such a special day, with over 120 people abseiling for our hospital causes - and to us they are all heroes. It looks as if the event will raise over £20,000 which will help us fund additional specialist medical equipment and create better environments for our patients."
June's abseil supported the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Horton Maternity, Abingdon Midwives, The Injury Minimization Programme for Schools (I.M.P.S.) and the Hidden Heroes Appeal.
Our next hospital abseil is on Sunday 25 September 2016, supporting the Oxford Children's Hospital, the Silver Star Unit, the Oxford Eye Hospital and the Emergency Assessment Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
To take part call 01865 743444 or email charity@ouh.nhs.uk
See photographs from the abseil on Sunday 19 June 2016 at the John Radcliffe Hospital.