Will you go over the edge for the NHS?
Take on a thrilling abseil while raising money for West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust on Saturday 10 June 2023 – we need a team of fearless fundraisers to launch themselves from the rooftop of the Atria in Watford! If you are looking for an exciting fundraising challenge this summer, this is the event for you!
Test your nerves and face your fears in this once-in-a-lifetime experience where you’ll be making a controlled descent down a vertical drop! But don’t worry, you will receive all the training you need from experts on the day before you take on this amazing feat. Once you are ready, it will be your turn to face the drop as you impress watching family and friends. We are organising this event in partnership with One YMCA.
How much is the event?
Registration is just £30 (£20 for NHS staff, West Herts NHS Mitie staff and volunteers who register with their NHS email address or forward their ID), and we would love you to raise a minimum of £150 (You will receive support and advice from our lovely fundraising team to help you reach your target). The registration fee covers most of your costs, meaning more of your fundraising goes directly to West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Why fundraise for Raise, West Herts Hospitals Charity?
Not only will you feel a great sense of achievement, but you will also be doing something great by fundraising for your local NHS hospitals across Watford, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans.
Our hospitals depend on charitable support, and every day is a chance for you to make a difference. Your fundraising could be helping to pay for something big – like a special piece of equipment or the refurbishment of a bereavement room. Equally, you could be supporting a small comfort that makes all the difference such as books and activities for poorly children, a clock for patients with dementia, or wellbeing support for our exhausted doctors and nurses. Whatever the need, we can help by working together.
To find out how your fundraising will support patient care in our hospitals – click here. ➡️
Reaching your fundraising target
We know that, now more than ever, it can be difficult to ask for donations when friends and family may not be able to give as much, but together we can still make a difference – you’d be amazed how the smallest sponsorship and donations add up very quickly. Our fundraising team will be here to support you and you will also receive our fundraising pack to inspire you. After you have registered, please also sign up to our abseil Just Giving page here! Simply click ‘start fundraising’ to create your own page.
FAQS
Why has the abseil location changed?
Our fundraising abseil was under threat because of nesting peregrine falcons on the rooftop at One YMCA – the event’s original venue. Peregrine falcons are an endangered species as they are illegally killed to prevent them preying on game birds and racing pigeons, with eggs and chicks also stolen for collections and falconry. Recognising how important it is to conserve local wildlife, we have found an alternative location to avoid distressing the birds.
The abseil is now firmly back on thanks to an offer of help from the Atria. So, if you are looking for an exciting challenge this summer, then this is the perfect event for you: an amazing abseil down Watford’s Atria!
Are there any restrictions?
Age – All participants must be aged 18 or over, unless they are accompanied on the day by a parent or legal guardian (in this case, a minimum age of 14 then applies. If anyone younger wishes to participate please contact us to discuss). The parent/guardian does not need to partake in the abseil but it is encouraged! The parent or guardian must complete a Parental Consent Form prior to the event.
There is no upper age limit, but we encourage older participants to consult their doctors in advance.
Weight – The weight restriction for this event is 18 stone. If you are at, approaching or over this weight, please get in touch and we will discuss the possibility of participation with the events company.
How fit do I need to be to take part?
You don’t need to train for this event, but you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness as you will need to climb 5 floors of steps (132 steps) to access the Atria rooftop. Please consult your doctor if you are unsure. You will be required to fill out a medical form before the event, which you can access here.
How long does the abseil take?
When you sign up you will pick your arrival time. On arrival you will register, receive a safety briefing before making your ascent to the abseil point. Please arrive at least 45 minutes before your abseil slot. We expect the whole on-site experience to take around two hours.
Will there be parking at the event?
There is parking at the Atria, please visit the Atria website here for more information. Address of event venue: Atria Watford Shopping Centre, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 2UB. View location on google maps here.
What do I need to bring?
- Trainers or walking boots are best. No heels, Flip-flops or sandals
- Warm clothing – trousers and a long sleeve top
- A waterproof jacket if it’s raining
- Food and water – alternatively there are various cafes and restaurants located close by
- Any medication that you need
- Camera for taking photos
Can I register as a team?
Yes! When you register you can ‘add another participant’ before you confirm and pay. You can create a team when you register and people can join this even if they register later on. After you have registered, please also sign up to our abseil Just Giving page here.
If you are a corporate or club who would like to pay for a set number of places in one go, please get in touch with us. Once the places are paid for, a password will be sent to you to pass on to your colleagues to they can complete their registration.
NHS staff and West Herts Teaching Hospitals Mitie staff and volunteers
Registration is just £20 for West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust staff, Mitie staff and volunteers who register with their NHS email address. For West Herts NHS volunteers and Mitie Staff who do not have an NHS email address, please register with your personal email address and forward your ID to westherts.raise@nhs.net.
I’ve never fundraised before, and I don’t know where to start. What do I do?
An online JustGiving fundraising page has been created for you to sign up to and you can receive further help and tips from our dedicated fundraising team to help you with your fundraising. Our JustGiving fundraising page can be accessed here.
What if I don’t reach the minimum sponsorship target?
By registering for this challenge, you are pledging to raise the minimum sponsorship of £150 and understand that it is the aim of this challenge to raise as much as possible for your local NHS hospitals. Our fundraising team is on hand to help you reach the target and make the whole experience fun!
You must have fundraised and banked at least 75% of the target one week before the event date. If you cannot raise the minimum sponsorship your place may be forfeited unless you make up the balance yourself. You can find our full event terms and conditions here. The terms and conditions for corporate teams can be found here.
Will I need to complete any documentation before the abseil?
Yes, please complete the waiver from our abseil provider Big Bang Promotions here
What if I can no longer take part due to sickness, self-isolation or Covid?
Unfortunately, in this scenario we will not be able to refund either your registration fee or your sponsorship as it will be too late to offer the place to another individual.
Photography?
By attending this event you agree to be photographed. We will be posting photos and videos of the event on our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages. Please do share your photos and videos on socials and tag @RaiseWestHerts using the hashtag #RaiseAbseil
We would also like to use the photos for press and Trust communications after the event. If you would rather your photo wasn’t taken or shared please contact the charity team before the event.
Questions?
If you’d like to find out more before you sign up, please contact westherts.raise@nhs.net
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