Music legend and neck cancer survivor Billy Mitchell was one of 30 intrepid fundraisers who abseiled down the side of the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, on Gateshead’s Quayside, in aid of the Northern Head and Neck Cancer Fund (HANC).
The charitable fund aims to make life better for those diagnosed with head and neck cancer and raise awareness of the disease. The fund helps to raise awareness of the cancer to enable faster detection and early stage treatment. It also sponsors annual conferences to help get the most up to date information and research out quickly to those who need it.
Eight years ago, Billy, from Cullercoats was diagnosed with the disease but thanks to early detection and the work of specialised health professionals he has now been given a clean bill of health.
The event was the first time that a public abseil had been attempted down the front of the BALTIC with the fundraisers starting their descent from the roof, passing the viewing space on Level Five and ending their 125 foot long leap safely on the building’s glass roof entrance.
As well as Billy, the thirty participants were made up of nursing staff, doctors and surgeons from hospitals in both Newcastle and Sunderland, dental students from Newcastle University, the ‘Angel flyers’ from The Angel in Corbridge, friends and supporters of HANC, along with Evelyn Weightman BEM, founder of HANC.
Evelyn was delighted with the commitment of HANC’s abseiling fundraisers:
“The day was a great success and I would like to thank all those involved who gave their time and were willing to undertake such a daring leap for HANC. Huge thanks also to all the staff at the Baltic who made the event go so smoothly and not forgetting all those who sponsored us”
Billy agreed, “ It was a great experience but not one I’d like to repeat in a hurry. The views over the Tyne were stunning when I opened my eyes but it was all worth it knowing that the money raised is going to help save lives.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the abseilers can still do so at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/northernheadneckcancerfund
Ends
Photo shows Billy hanging around
For HANC information contact Beth on 01434 633605 www.northernhanc.org
For media information contact Keith Newman Highlights PR 07814 397951
On Saturday 9 July,
Note to editors:
- For more information see http://www.northernhanc.org/
- To make a donation to the Northern Head and Neck Cancer Fund, please visit www.justgiving.com/northernheadneckcancerfund.
- If you wish to support HANC through a fundraising activity, please contact Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity on 0191 213 7235 or email charity.matters@nuth.nhs.uk where help and advice will be provided, along with sponsorship forms if needed.
- In 2013, HANC sponsored its first Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Conference. Since the initial conference, the event has hosted over 400 healthcare professionals. Now an annual event held every November for dental staff, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others that may come in contact with those suffering from head and neck cancer, the number of attendees continues to rise every year. This year’s event will take place at St. James’ Park on 2nd November.
- HANC, which is based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, is one of hundreds of charitable funds administered by the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity (Reg No 1057213) which provides additional funding to support every ward, unit, department and specialty in Newcastle’s hospitals enhancing the quality of care provided throughout the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust area.
- For further information about this release and images please contact Beth Reed beth@northernhanc.org 01434 633605
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity, Charitable Funds Office, Peacock Hall, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP
http://www.justgiving.com/northernheadneckcancerfund Registered Charity Number 1057213