Abseil in Bedford

I regularly receive Target MD, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s quarterly magazine, and there is often advance notice of fundraising events coming up. I saw that there going to be an event in my home town, Bedford! An opportunity not to be missed to do something for MDC without having to travel too far!

I work as a teacher so to raise sponsorship money, I asked my fellow colleagues in the staff room - they were exceedingly generous. I also opened a website for donations and told friends and family. Soon people were asking me for sponsorship forms, so they could get their friends to fill it in too! They all helped me raise a total of £1,376.15 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign

All the training and preparation was done on the day. MDC’s Regional Fundraising Manager for Anglia, Annie Jackson, gave me a pep talk at the bottom. Then Matt, the instructor, put some straps around my shoulders and chest.

When we got to the top of the hotel and out onto the roof, there was someone going over before me. They gave me a speech about what to do before it was my turn. To be honest, I was just nodding and saying “Uh-huh” because the words were just not registering.

By the time I had both legs over the edge and they were ready to shove me off, I thought I really ought to ask someone what to do....

The butterflies in my stomach were swarming, but then I set off! The experience was great! I know it is an over used word - but it was awesome! There was a lot of hype and adrenalin beforehand and the cold tingling sweaty moments before I set off. My throat was dry and the palms of my hands went clammy.

There was a totally different sensation of being in the moment, living life for real. I had a very odd 'being stuck on the outside of a building' feeling, but I took a moment to enjoy my surroundings, and whoop! At that moment, and only for a moment, there were no nerves. And a cracking feeling of achievement. The achievement being having gone over the edge, rather than having completed the abseil...which was still a long way down.

By the time I got to the bottom, I felt like jelly all over. I didn’t even really notice that I was actually finished.

I would certainly do an abseil again. Only this time, I'd stop half way down and try to get a picture!