Intrepid octogenarians taking on charity abseil from top of hospital
Two intrepid octogenarians will be abseiling from the top of a hospital to raise money for charity.
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Angela Turner, 82, and Joan Woodhouse, 80, are raising funds for The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) Charity’s Chemotherapy Day Centre – a cause which is close to their hearts.
SaTH Charity, Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and the RSH League of Friends have organised the abseil off the five-storey ward block, and it will take place on Saturday, September 21.
Both women have a deep connection with the Chemotherapy Day Centre – Joan has volunteered on the unit for the last six-and-a-half years and Angela has previously volunteered for eight years at the centre.
Joan, who has previously experienced treatment at the hospital after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, received radiotherapy and a lumpectomy.
She said: "The care I received was second to none, and although I didn’t receive chemotherapy when I recovered, I wanted to give back and now I do a morning a week as a volunteer in the Chemotherapy Day Centre.
“I also organise the volunteer rota to ensure the shifts are covered. I chat to nervous patients and use my experience of the unit to calm their nerves. I make drinks and importantly take the time to reassure them. Treatment can last seven hours and can continue for several months. As a volunteer I get to know them and often their families as well. Kindness costs nothing and can make a huge difference to someone’s day.”
Angela, whose late husband Roger Turner had a successful career working for the BBC film unit at Ealing Studios, retired in 1996 and began volunteering for SaTH in 2013 on the CDC.
He recognised an opportunity to improve information sessions for newly diagnosed patients, so used his extensive background, alongside Angela to film, edit and develop information videos that are still used today to support patients who are coming for treatment.
His films released six to eight hours of nursing time per week. In 2019 Roger won the trust’s Volunteer of Year award for his contribution.
Angela said: “Cancer has affected four immediate members of my family, my late husband had bladder and bone cancer, two of my sisters have had breast cancer, and our younger daughter has the rare blood cancer Polycythaemia Vera. All four of them have needed chemotherapy, though only my late husband Roger was a patient at RSH. Cancer took his life from us in August 2021. Hence my passion and desire to support the CDC and its patients of the future.”
Angie Cooper, Matron for Oncology & Haematology, said: “We are delighted to see Angela and Joan take on such this challenge to raise money for the Chemotherapy Day Centre. The whole team at the centre are proud of their bravery, we can’t wait to see them abseil down safely and we will be there to cheer them on.”
People can donate in support of Angela’s here and in support of Joan here.
For anyone who would like to take part in the abseil, the registration fee is £78, which covers the full cost of hosting through our fully insured and experienced delivery partner.
The approach ensures every penny raised in donations goes to the hospital.
A spokesman said: "We are asking that those taking part aim to raise at least £100 in addition to the registration fee and the charity team is on hand to help you reach this target.
"If you want to accept the challenge, be an inspiration and abseil for a great cause please get in touch with the SaTH Charity team by e-mailing sath.charity@nhs.net or calling 01743 492256.
