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Homecoming abseil for
charity boss with a fear of heights
A charity boss is preparing for a
Merseyside homecoming with a difference as she prepares to conquer a fear of
heights. Kate Wynne, 41, is to abseil down Liverpool Cathedral to help
raise vital funds for vulnerable children supported by her employer The
Children's Society; and is calling for more Liverpudlians to join the charity's
team.
She had a wobble having realised only after
she had signed up, that the fundraiser, which takes place on Saturday, 30 July
2016, is a freefall abseil. But Kate, who grew up in West Derby before moving
away for work aged 22, has now resolved to step up to the challenge.
She will be supported by family and friends from Liverpool, including her dad
Paul, who still lives in West Derby, and other relatives including her 3 year
old niece Jasmine and sister in law Stephanie.
The money Kate raises through sponsorship will help support The Children's
Society's work with vulnerable children and young people, including those at
risk of going missing and child sexual exploitation, those in care and those
with mental health issues.
The Anglican Cathedral's annual freefall abseil sees more than 600 people
including individuals and members of charity and business teams raise funds for
good causes. Kate, a former pupil at St Paul's Catholic Junior School and
Broughton Hall Catholic High School, said:- "I've never done anything like
this before. I looked at the different fundraising events including the marathon
and 5k run options and thought this one would be easy - plus it's a chance to
see my family and a City I love. I almost forgot that I'm really not great with
heights and didn't realise until after I'd entered that it was a freefall
abseil."
Kate, who is The Children's Society's director of business
development, said she was now thinking:- "what have I done?"
Kate, who is mum to 2 year old Beatrix went on to add:- "I went to
the top of Muswell Hill near where I live in London, as part of my training and
looked down; and that was bad enough. But I just wanted to do my
bit to add some money to The Children's Society's frontline services because I'm
proud of what we do to support some of the most vulnerable children and young
people in society who have been through some terrible experiences. The more
money we raise the more children we can help so I would urge people up for an
exciting challenge while raising money for a great cause to sign up. You can't
beat the generosity of Liverpudlians; around ½ of my
donations so far have come from the City of Liverpool!"
► To sponsor Kate visit:-
JustGiving.com/FundRaising/KLWynne.
► To join Kate on The Children's Society's team visit
the groups
website.
Entrants pay a £50 registration fee which covers the costs of
entering a team, helping to keep entry to the Cathedral free to visitors and
supporting its work in the community. People are then asked to raise a minimum
of £200 in sponsorship for The Children's Society.
The charity's dedicated events team provides
support for participants including an online training zone with a virtual
personal trainer, a fundraising pack and email updates. All entrants receive a
branded t-shirt for the challenge.
The challenge is open to anyone over the age of 16 in a good state of medical
and fitness health. No prior experience is necessary.
Participants are asked to arrive at the West End doors of the Cathedral by noon
in time for a briefing ahead of the descent at 1pm.
Sarah Shelton, Regional Fundraising Manager for The Children's Society, said:-
"We're all rooting for Kate as she looks to overcome her fear of heights.
Without the fantastic support of people who take part in, organise and sponsor
fundraising events and those who raise funds for The Children's Society in other
ways, we could not possibly make a positive difference to the lives of so many
vulnerable children and young people. I would urge anyone who fancies a
challenge with a difference, offering incredible views of Liverpool while
enabling participants to raise money for such an important cause, to sign up."
The Children's Society was founded by a Sunday School teacher, Edward Rudolf, in
1881, and maintains close links with the Church of England. Liverpool Cathedral
organises an annual Christingle service, which raises vital funds for the
charity. |
