Abseiling for Charity By Michelle Dee

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A month ago an email was passed on to me about a charity event to take place at the Humber Bridge on the 18th of July. The charity was the RNIB who work to improve the lives of the blind and partially sighted. My sister Charlotte is blind in one eye so this worthy cause struck a particular chord with me. The challenge was to abseil off the bridge down to the fore shore below. I sent off the necessary paper work and received sponsorship forms from RNIB.

Through the generosity of friends, family, and local businesses I was able to raise nearly £150.00.

On the afternoon of the 18th I was buzzing with excitement as we drove towards Hessle foreshore. As we neared the Humber Bridge we saw crowds of people all staring upwards. On our arrival it became clear I was in the wrong place. Many thanks to Sophie who escorted me through the country park to the right place in order to register for my abseil and process the sponsor money.

I joined a long queue of people from different parts of the country and of all ages. Some were dressed in St Trinians outfits one couple were splendidly kitted out as Batman and Robin.

I have to admit I started to fret at this point as the full realisation of what I had signed up to do hit me. I was the tender age of ten or eleven when I did my last abseil down a Nyanga cliff face in Zimbabwe. A few years have passed since then and I was hoping I wasn't going to choke. A small group of us made our way up to the road and on to the bridge where we were greeted by one of the officials who told us to continue walking along the pedestrian walkway.

In the distance we could see people leaning over the barrier staring at the crowds below. During this walk I made an effort to talk to the others in my group to try and create a feeling of camaraderie. There was Chris from Driffield, Katherine from Sheffield, Louise and Cheryl and every one of them was nervous about going over the edge.

After waiting a while it was our turn to get harnessed up ready. We were all checked thoroughly to make certain all the straps were buckled and fastened securely and our helmets properly adjusted to ensure the highest levels of safety. After donning a pair of gloves I was ready. I had watched half a dozen or so go down so I had a clear idea of what was required.

It seemed to me that the best way to approach the task was to make sure when your feet left the side of the bridge your head was well below the rest of your body. I had noticed a few people banging in to the railings through not leaning out far enough.

Here we go, I thought as I climbed over the railings after first being attached to a safety rope. Just in case you fall of the edge, the helpful chap said. I manoeuvred myself so that my feet were either side of the rope and was instructed to lean out as far as I could holding on to the belay rope. By letting the belay rope slip through my hands I was able to inch further and further out until I was almost horizontal.

Abseiling for Charity continued By Michelle Dee

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