Cancer survivors, families and health workers braved the rain to abseil down Yorkhill Children's Hospital.

 

More than £25,000 has been raised so far by the 110 volunteers who took part in yesterday's challenge for the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT).

Among the daredevils to abseil down the 50 metre high building were Chris and Karen Craig, from Lenzie.

The couple's son Matthew, 14, is fighting bone cancer and has received treatment from the TCT.

Chris, 44, said: "When Matthew was going through his treatment at the unit, the Teenage Cancer Trust became our home.

"The facilities they had made things more bearable.

"We spent eight months in hospital. Karen was living there the whole time.

"We just want to do what we can to make sure this service can continue."

Matthew watched the pair scale down the wall.

He said: "I'm really proud of them, I didn't know how they'd manage it."

Nicole Nugent, 25, was taking part after her cousin Corey Spence, 14, was diagnosed with a rare form of muscle cancer last year.

We reported last week how Corey, from Riddrie, spent two months in the US receiving special proton beam therapy, which is not yet available in the UK, to treat the cancer.

Corey was not able to attend the abseil because she had just returned from a Teenage Cancer Trust Paul Weller concert in London and needed to rest.

But Corey's grandma Mary, 56, watched the challenge.

Nicole said: "I really wanted to do this for Corey.

"It wasn't too bad when I got going but I was nervous."

Nurses and medics from Yorkhill as well as the Beatson also got in on the action - some wearing fancy dress costumes.

There were also loved ones of cancer victims who had passed away.

Leukemia survivor and TCT volunteer Johnny Molloy, 20, from Neilston said it was "awesome".

He added: "I'm now in remission after chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

"It was just brilliant to be able to do the abseil."

The TCT unit, along with the rest of the children's hospital, is preparing to move to the New South Glasgow Hospital campus. Yorkhill will shut later this year.

Vanessa Todd, regional fundraiser for TCT Scotland, said: "The abseil is about celebrating all the young people who have been treated in Teenage Cancer Trust units across Scotland.

"Yorkhill is closing down and we just want to recognise the work that's been done here before it closes."

Vanessa said they had raised £25,000 so far but expected the final total to be a lot more.

She said: "It's just phenomenal, and every penny makes all the difference."

 

Rachel Loxton's experience, "It felt like jogging down a vertical drop..."

THEY say don't look down at the top.

Unfortunately, curiosity got the better of me and I'd peeked over the edge before I'd even been strapped into place.

It was ridiculously high. Still, I was on the roof of Yorkhill and there was only one way down.

After taking in the fantastic views at the top - stretching right across Glasgow and beyond - I had to get on all fours and lower myself off the edge backwards.

The staff at Glasgow Climbing Centre said it was like going into a swimming pool.

"But I'll fall down," was my reply, naturally.

They assured me I was secured by the safety rope so I gradually lowered myself into place.

Once I was bobbing at the top I didn't dare look down. A quick glance right and I saw that stunning view again. But now it was time to get to the ground.

I began loosening and the tightening the rope, and, hooray, I was moving.

After getting my gloves caught in the clips a few time - rookie mistake - I was on my way. It felt like I was jogging down a vertical drop.

The cheers at the bottom certainly made it easier.

I had a quick look down, when I was halfway there. My heart began racing but I kept my cool.

I hurried down and before I knew it I was taking off my abseiling gear.

I was greeted by the fantastic TCT staff.

I said: "Can I do it again?"