Dundee nurses went to the edge of the precipice and stepped back on Monday but they now know what is ahead of them when they abseil 130 feet down one of the city’s tallest buildings on May 21.
And they want to let people know there is still time to sign up and join them on the plunge down Dundee University’s Tower Building.
The nurses helped care for the mother of local fund-raiser Petra McMillan and have backed her campaign to support other terminally-ill people in Angus and Dundee by volunteering for the abseil. They will be joined by Marie Curie co-ordinator for Dundee and Angus Katrina Hunter.
Petra, from Carnoustie, hopes 60 others will join her and the Marie Curie “flying angels” to help raise £10,000 for the charity, providing 500 hours of free nursing care to the terminally ill at home in the Angus and Dundee area. She is full of admiration for the bravery of the nurses not just for signing up for the abseil but for the work they do on a daily basis.
“I very much appreciate the girls supporting my fund-raising drive but in reality the work they do, day in, day out, is much more challenging than the abseil,” Petra said. “They don’t just care for the patient, they support the extended family and provide first-class respite when sons, daughters, husbands or wives need a break most at a tremendously stressful and emotional time.A lifeline”Marie Curie threw our family a lifeline and I am determined to help extend that invaluable service to as many other families in our local area as possible.”
Last year throughout the UK over 2000 Marie Curie nurses cared for more than 16,000 terminally-ill people who made the choice to die at home. However, while Marie Curie research shows that 65% of people facing a terminal diagnosis would chose to die at home, only 25% achieve this due to lack of funds.
Throughout March Marie Curie is campaigning to raise awareness of the challenges facing the charity and the nation in order to extend free nursing care to more people who need it most.
At present Marie Curie cares for more than 50% of all people nationwide with cancer and other terminal illnesses who die at home. Its ambition is to double nursing provision across the country by 2014.
Petra began her fund-raising following the death of her mother Mrs Renate Rennie, formerly of Carnoustie, in June 2009. The 69-year-old mother of five and grandmother of 11 was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour three months prior to her death and opted to die at home. Her family provided round-the-clock care, supported greatly by Marie Curie nurses in the final weeks.
Last year Petra, her family and friends raised more than £6500 for the charity with a variety of events including hiking the West Highland Way in May, climbing Ben Nevis in August, festive jewellery sales throughout Angus and Dundee, and cupcake sales for St Valentine’s Day at the David Lloyd gym in Monifieth. The total provided more than 320 hours of free nursing care for families in the local area.
Despite the scale of the challenge, Petra admits she is barely focused on the abseil event and, in fact, is very much looking forward to it.
“I’m currently in training for the Virgin London Marathon on April 17 and it is really, really tough. At this stage you should be running 15 to 18 miles at a time so the idea of sliding down a building with a bunch of friends is very welcoming.
“I did the same abseil last year and it was over in a flash. The same can’t be said for London! I’ll be on my feet for hours but I’ll be focusing on the charity and on my mum, and that will get me through it.”
The abseil challenge is open to anyone over the age of 16. Entrants are required to submit a refundable deposit of £25 and then commit to raise a minimum of £100 for the charity.
Anyone interested in joining the Marie Curie team can contact Petra directly on 07717810365.