Andy leaps into a healthy future
Stroke survivor wants 165ft abseil volunteers
A Paisley stroke survivor has urged people across Renfrewshire to swing into action as one of Scotland’s biggest fundraising events returns this summer.
Registrations have opened for the Forth Bridge Abseil which is run by Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) in partnership with Network Rail and Balfour Beatty.
Taking place on Sunday, June 16, adventure-seekers will abseil 165ft from the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site for good causes.
Andy Ward took part in the abseil last year, alongside his wife Linda, after he suffered a haemorrhagic stroke in September 2022 and was left with aphasia.
Told he might only recover a small percentage of his ability to communicate, Andy threw himself into his recovery with the help of CHSS men’s stroke peer support group in Paisley.
Since then, he has taken part in a number of physical fundraising challenges – including walking the West Highland Way to raise money for CHSS.
Andy told the Express: “Since having the stroke, I have pushed myself as hard as I can to recover as fully as possible.
“It’s not been an easy journey but it’s given me a determination to continue to challenge myself.”
Since the event launched in 2003, more than £3 million has been raised for charities including CHSS, allowing the charity to support the one in five people across Scotland living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and long covid.
The abseil made a triumphant return in October last year after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic with 34 charities raising more than £305,000 as 600 people abseiled off the iconic landmark.
CHSS raised over £120,000 – which is equivalent to 6,170 hours of vital one-to-one support to help somebody adjust after a hospital stay following a stroke, heart attack or due to a chest condition or long covid.
Jayne Forbes, assistant director of fundraising at CHSS, said: “It is fantastic to be bringing the Forth Bridge Abseil back for 2024.
“We had an amazing response to last year’s event with hundreds of people from across the country challenging themselves to raise vital funds for charities across Scotland.
“This event is a great opportunity for CHSS to raise funds which will help us to support people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and long covid.
“I would encourage everyone to take part and experience this truly unique fundraising challenge.”
Alan Ross, director of engineering and asset management at Network Rail, said: “It’s always such a fun day seeing so many thrillseekers braving the heights and facing their fears to raise a fantastic amount of money for CHSS and all the other charity partners which take part.”
Colin Hardie, construction superintendent at Balfour
Beatty, added: “We are delighted to have joined with CHSS and Network Rail once again to open the doors to the iconic Forth Bridge.
“Since it launched over 20 years ago, the Forth Bridge Abseil event has raised millions for those living with chest, heart, and stroke conditions. We look forward to making this year’s abseil the biggest and most successful to date.”
Individuals and organisations can register their interest in taking part by emailing FBA@chss.org.uk
Alternatively, you can visit www.chss.org.uk/ supportus/fundraise-for-us/ events/forth-bridge-abseil for more information.
I have pushed myself as hard as I can to recover as fully as possible