25 people from Birmingham businesses have taken the plunge to help a homelessness charity in Digbeth – quite literally – by abseiling 200 feet from one of the city’s tallest buildings.
The event, held last Friday 18th May, was organised by the Holiday Inn Express in Snowhill, to help raise funds for SIFA Fireside, which provides a range of services for homeless people and rough sleepers.
The daring event was supported by several Birmingham businesses whose volunteers braved the 19-storey descent, including Colmore Bid, WM Trains, Click Travel and the neighbouring construction team from contractors BAM Construction.
Lulu Donna Nulty, Holiday Inn Express’s organiser and sales manager, said:
“Each descent took around 10 minutes, but a few were quicker. Our maintenance manager Kevin Walker descended dressed as Batman and receptionist Nikita Rushton as Batgirl!
“We were booked solid with people wanting to support this important cause that gives rough sleepers get the help and assistance they need.
“It’s so rewarding to see the generosity and support that arises from doing something like this.”
Lulu even persuaded her 73-year old father Donald into doing the abseil, although he did have a slight advantage being a semi-retired roofer!
BAM Construction’s administrator Demie Smylie was one of the bravest abseilers on the day. The 22-year old from Sutton Coldfield burst into tears both before and after she lowered herself off one of the city’s tallest structures and said:
“I am terrified of heights. When I was standing on the roof, I just wanted to get it over with. I did not think I could do it. I was looking at my hands all the way down. I was so overwhelmed.
“But I’d do anything for charity and we see homeless people in the city every day so we understand how important it is to help. We’ve raised over £2000 so far so it’s just so worth it.”
Demie organised BAM’s eleven participants from the massive Three Snowhill construction for developers Ballymore.
Click Travel’s team of five also did the abseil. The business travel management company which is located in Alpha Tower, employs over 230 people, and works closely with the city’s hotels. Operations director Chris Vince understood what Demie experienced:
“The longer you stay up there watching others go down, the worse it is! We have just chosen SIFA Fireside as our local charity of the year and this is our first event for them.”
Business Improvement District Colmore Bid fielded four women who went down the ropes, managed by expert outdoor climbing centre Redpoint, including the day’s youngest participant, 20 year-old Katy Paddock from Solihull. She said:
“We’ve got continuous events to help raise money; we’ve had cyclists take part in Velo Birmingham, walked 10km around the Cathedral, hosted quizzes and more.
“But nothing has hurt my abs like this! I signed up but it didn’t sink in until the morning that I actually had to do it. The hardest part was getting through the steelwork on the roof before you could descend. The glass windows were slippery, so your feet could not get a grip.”
SIFA Fireside’s Chief Executive Carly Jones said:
“We are very grateful to all the people who came together to do this exciting activity and support the work we do. So far the event has raised over £4000.
“We work with some of the most vulnerable adults in society. Many have complex mental and physical health problems, such as addictions. We run a friendly day centre providing support to over 160 people daily. As well as offering food, clothing, showers and laundry facilities, we also offer housing advice, welfare rights, employment opportunities, healthcare and social activities.”
The charity has a day centre in Digbeth which recently became the first visit for new Housing Minister James Brokenshire.
If you want to donate please do so via: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/abseil-sifafireside or https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bam-abseil.