Tag: Edinburgh Rope Access

Santa Claus abseils into Edinburgh Children’s Hospital

Children at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) were given a wonderful surprise when Santa and his elves abseiled in to spread a ho-ho-whole lot of Christmas cheer.

Jolly old Saint Nick, two of his most trusted elves, and their super friend Spiderman descended the side of the hospital, much to the delight of unsuspecting children, families and staff watching through the ward windows and from the ground below.

The fearless festive friends scaled two different parts of the building to ensure as many children and young people as possible had a chance to view the spectacle.

Organised by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) in partnership with Edinburgh Rope Access, the daring deed is raising money to deliver magic and happiness to seriously ill children in hospital this Christmas.

Nicky Erskine, managing director at Edinburgh Rope Access, dedicated the gutsy stunt to all those at the hospital who fight their own brave battles on a daily basis.

Nicky said: “Who needs a chimney when Santa can abseil off the roof instead? Scaling the side of a hospital isn’t for the faint-hearted but it is nothing compared to the challenges that children staying here face with such courage every day.

“We wanted to do our bit to spread some Christmas cheer, bring lots of smiles to those on the wards and raise funds for an incredibly worthy cause while we were at it.”

Pippa Johnston, Director at ECHC, said: “We are enormously grateful to Santa and his elves for coming all the way from the North Pole to visit children and families at the hospital. It was marvellous to see so many faces light up when Santa dropped by their window and gave them a wave!

“Every year, together with our friends at NHS Lothian, ECHC works hard to make time spent in hospital a little bit brighter. At Christmas, this becomes even more vital, but we rely solely on donations and kindness to do this.

“Though we can’t stop their pain, we can deliver some happiness. For those facing a hospital stay at this time of year, special events like this really do go a long way in delivering magic and lifting everyone’s spirits.”

To find out more about ECHC’s Redirected Letters to Santa Christmas appeal and to donate, visit www.echcharity.org/donate

Marvel-lous! Superheroes abseil down New Sick Kids Hospital as a Christmas surprise

Children and young people at Edinburgh’s children’s hospital were given a Marvel-lous Christmas surprise when a team of costume-clad superheroes scaled down the side of the building.

The daredevil troop of Batman, Thanos, Spiderman and the Joker descended the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, much to the delight of unsuspecting children, families and staff watching through the ward windows and from the ground below.

The thrill-seeking team did two abseils from different parts of the hospital to ensure as many children and young people as possible had a chance to view the spectacle, and even staged a nail-biting superhero versus villain waterfight while suspended in mid-air.

Organised by Edinburgh Rope Access in aid of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), the fearless feat is raising money to bring comfort and joy to seriously ill children in hospital this Christmas and all year round. So far, the heroes have raised an incredible £531.

Nicky Erskine, managing director at Edinburgh Rope Access dedicated the gutsy stunt to all those at the hospital who fight their own brave battles on a daily basis.

Nicky said: “Abseiling down the side of a hospital isn’t for the faint-hearted but it is nothing compared to the challenges that children and young people staying here face with such courage every day.

“They are the real superheroes so we wanted to do our bit to spread some Christmas cheer, bring lots of smiles to those on the wards and raise funds for an incredibly worthy cause while we were at it.”

Victoria Buchanan from ECHC said: “Every year, we at ECHC work hard to bring the joy and magic of Christmas to children and young people in hospital by creating a fun-filled living advent calendar around the wards with a new surprise activity every day.

“We were determined to make our first Christmas in our new home the biggest yet – and the superhero abseil has definitely taken the wow factor to the next level. It was wonderful to see so many children’s faces light up when their favourite heroic character dropped by their bedroom window and gave them a wave!

“We are enormously grateful to the team from Edinburgh Rope Access for being such intrepid supporters. For those facing a hospital stay at this time of year, special events like this really do go a long way in spreading happiness and lifting everyone’s spirits.”

To support Edinburgh Rope Access’ fundraising efforts, visit: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/edinburghsickkidsera

To find out more about ECHC’s Light Up Christmas appeal and to donate, visit:

www.echcharity.org/christmas