20th September 2016
A Barking & Dagenham College team raised over £1,200 by abseiling 262 feet down the UK?s tallest sculpture, the iconic ArcelorMittal Orbit towering over the site of the London 2012 Games, in aid of Richard House Children?s Hospice.
Above: College Abseilers make it back down to earth in one piece (l-r): Keyala, Karen, Rheanna and Albi. Amazing work: Richard House Children's Hospice
The nerve-jangling opportunity was arranged by Karen Boxall, Learner Involvement Coordinator at the College, who explains why she was so keen to get a team together,
“I visited Richard House to see their amazing work and made a conscious decision to get involved. This is our first fundraising challenge of the new term, and there will be plenty more opportunities for students and staff in the months ahead.
“The view from the top of the Orbit was fantastic. It was an exhilarating experience, and I thoroughly recommend it.”
View from the top
Former student Keyala Fenn, 20, from Dagenham (pictured above), who now works at Thriftwood Scout Campsite & Activity Centre in Brentwood, said
“When you get to the top it’s scary and the worst bit was seeing the others start to get nervous. I had abseiled before, but from a much lower height.”
Albi Damo, 21 from Grays, who is studying for the BTEC in Uniformed Public Services said,
“Just amazing. As a Uniformed Public Services student this is just the type of thing we get involved in and I’ve abseiled before, but nothing as high as this. It was scary, but I’d do it again.”
Scariest momentApprentice, Rheanna Stiles, 19, from Dagenham, added
“It took about 3 minutes to get down and, whilst it was the scariest thing I’ve ever done, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The team did both the charity and the College proud.”
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