An annual charity challenge which directly funds end of life care for families in Courier country is once more looking for brave souls with a head for heights and a zest for adventure.
To date the Marie Curie Daredevil Challenge – a 140ft mass abseil off the Dundee University Tower Building – has raised more than £65,000 for Marie Curie, the charity that provides free professional nursing care at home to the terminally ill.
With every penny of that haul spent within the ‘DD’ postcode area to deliver hands on care to individuals with a range of terminal conditions, including cancer, the event has so far ‘bought’ more than 3250 hours of care for families across Tayside and Fife.
This year, taking place on Saturday, June 4, organisers of the hair-raising spectacle hope once more to attract teams and individuals with space for up to 65 entrants, aged 16 and over.
Charity patron Petra McMillan from Carnoustie, who launched the event in 2010, said the abseil is a fun way to raise funds for a serious cause.
She said: “This is one of the biggest fundraisers in Scotland organised by volunteers and it plays a major role in generating vital funds for families in our own communities.
“Each year Courier readers rise to the challenge and support us – we couldn’t do it without them – and each year we aim to get bigger, brighter and raise more cash for our wonderful community nursing service.”
Last year Marie Curie’s army of 2000 nurses worked 1.2million hours to help care for 40,712 individuals at the end of life across the UK at home or in one of their nine hospices.
Since 2010 more than 300 people from every corner of the UK have taken part in the Marie Curie Daredevil Challenge – many in fancy dress
Now organised by Marie Curie’s Dundee Fundraising Group, the abseil is open to anyone with a head for heights and a spirit of adventure.
Entries cost £20 and applicants are asked to raise a minimum of £100 for the charity, no fitness or experience is necessary.
For more information, or to receive an application, contact Hazel Mitchell via 01382 736627 or nutella11.hm@gmail.com