The first ever UCLH Charity abseil took place at the iconic White Collar Factory on London's Old Street last weekend.

Over 100 UCLH Charity supporters – including UCLH members of staff and corporate partners - took part in the challenge, an abseil down 16 floors (that's 247 feet).  Between them, they are well on their way to reaching the £70,000 target.  Money raised will support patients, staff and research at UCLH.  

Faroukh Sorab, pictured centre, above, the facilities manager at the UCLH Queen Square site did the abseil – to celebrate his retirement - and his birthday!

He said, “I am ready to retire after 20 years’ service at UCLH, which has given me an opportunity to do my best for our patients and my fantastic team at Queen Square. It has always been my intention to give back something to UCLH, as a ‘Big Thank you' and what better way than to raise funds for UCLH Charity, which does so much to support our patients, staff and research at UCLH." 

Coming down to earth after the event, Faroukh said, "Initially it was frightening!  But then they said to me take it easy, relax and the sooner you do it the sooner you can go down. It was an enjoyable experience and thanks to the UCLH Charity team who encouraged and supported me. The friendly atmosphere was the key for me.  I never knew that I could do both………raise this amount of money and abseil down 16 storeys of a building in Central London.” 

Faroukh has raised over £6,000 and still counting.  Visit his page here Faroukh Sorab is fundraising for University College London Hospitals Charity UK (justgiving.com)  Thank you Faroukh for your bravery and fundraising!   We wish you a very happy retirement and a belated happy birthday!   

Rosannah Dawood, head of fundraising added, “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who did the abseil.  It was lovely to see the smiles of joy – or was it the relief? – as they landed.  Thank you also to everyone who has donated to their JustGiving pages, your support will enable us to do more to support UCLH”.  

Our abseil is just one of many challenges you can take part in to raise money for a great cause.  Visit our events page, or email events@uclhcharity.org.uk to find out more.