FEARLESS fundraisers will be abseiling down the 124ft tall Wells Cathedral in June to raise money for the children’s charity, SOS Africa. There will be a royal theme this year as abseilers will dress up in royal attire to descend down the North-West tower on the 4th, 5th, 10th and 12th of June to celebrate this year’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The charity was founded by Frome residents in 2003 to fund the education and care of South African township children. Each year the charity staff plan innovative fundraising events to raise funds for the SOS Africa children. Money raised will also be split between Royal University Hospital of Bath (RUH) Forever Friends Appeal and to support the conservation of Wells Cathedral.
Organisers say, “We are delighted to announce that SOS Africa’s 124ft abseil challenge will return to Wells Cathedral on the 4th, 5th, 10th and 12th June 2022. The event is back by popular demand, following the successes of the 2019 event during which 350 brave fundraisers raised an incredible £60,000.”
The freefall abseil was initially scheduled to take place in autumn 2021 but had to be postponed due to rapidly increased COVID-19 infection rates. Organisers, SOS Africa and abseil instructors, Aardvark Endeavours, hope that this summer event will give everyone something to look forward to and the opportunity to support three important causes.
60% of the funds raised by the event will be donated to SOS Africa. The charity works to fund the education of disadvantaged South African township children and now operates four education programmes which support hundreds of children across the country.
20% of the funds raised by the event will be donated to Wells Cathedral to help the Cathedral Team to conserve and enhance the 12th century building for future generations to enjoy.
20% of the funds raised by the event will be donated to RUH Bath. The Forever Friends Appeal is the official charity of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH Bath).
To find out more information about the event, including related costs and how to set up a fundraiser for the event, please visit https://www.sosafrica.com/wellscathedralcharityabseil
Organisers say that, if necessary, the event can be socially distanced, no previous abseil experience is required, fancy-dress is optional and all abseilers must be age nine or over (under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian).
