A dad and daughter will dress up as seagulls to abseil down Liverpool Cathedral in aid of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.
Dave Whittingham and daughter Robyn Ingram (pictured below in costume) will take part in the daring feat to say thank you to staff who are caring for Dave after he was diagnosed with blood cancer acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) earlier this year.
The retired electrician from Bootle, is being treated at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool and described his care as “amazing”.
Incredibly the dad of two, who also has three grandchildren, was diagnosed immediately after suffering a heart attack which required surgery to fit two stents.
His wife Trisha said: “It is really rare for someone to get two such diagnosis almost at the same time and it came as a huge shock to us particularly as Dave had never had any medical issues.
“If it hadn’t been for the heart attack, we wouldn’t have found out so quickly about the AML as he’d suffered no symptoms. Even the heart attack was a complete surprise as he thought he had indigestion at first.
“The care he’s had from all hospitals has been amazing and he really wanted to say thank you to Clatterbridge who have looked after him so well.”
Dave, 62, is a keen artist and during a seven-week inpatient stay at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool, he loved the art packs that are made possible thanks to donations from generous fundraisers.
Clatterbridge Cancer Charity funds the Arts in Health programme which includes the distribution of materials for in-patients.
Dave made good use of his, drawing humorous pictures of his doctors.
Trisha said: “He really made them laugh with his illustrations. It was great for him to have the art packs as his condition resulted in him being confined to his room for a month at one stage.
“The packs are such a good idea, and we were really grateful for them. It is lovely to give the patients something to do when they have a longer stay. We are lucky that we have a big, supportive family. As well as Robyn we have a son Lewis who has been fantastic and our grandchildren.
“Not everyone has that so anything that helps patients pass the time and take their minds of their treatment is really important.”
The whole family are planning a great day out when they watch Robyn and Dave do their abseil in fancy dress to add to the fun. He has been passed fit to take part after treatment for AML and can’t wait for the event in July.
Dave said: “I am not scared of heights at all. I have had to scale flood lights at the docks at work before. I think Robyn is a bit more nervous though!”
Rachel Heslin, Events Fundraiser for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Dave and Robyn for taking part.
“It is thanks to them, and all those who fundraise through our events, that we are able to support the one in two people affected by cancer in our region.
“We can’t wait to see them and all the other abseilers at Liverpool Cathedral for a day of fun and important fundraising. Taking part in an event like this is a great way to challenge yourself and help people with cancer.”
The Liverpool Cathedral Abseil will take place on 12th July from 1pm.
You can descend 150ft over the side of the great West Door and help Clatterbridge Cancer Charity fund even more life-saving research and innovative projects to support cancer patients and their families.
Abseilers will experience seeing the city in a whole new light. They can pose for a picture at the top before enjoying the thrill of abseiling off one of the UK’s most iconic buildings.
Entry costs £10 per person and participants are asked to fundraise £150.
Find out more about the event and how to take part here.
If you can’t make that date but want to abseil for Clatterbridge, there is a chance to descend the outside of the hospital in Liverpool in September. Find out more here.
If you would like to sponsor Dave and Robyn, you can do so here:
Robyn Ingram is fundraising for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity
