Mayor to abseil from Dudley College rooftop

Staff and students at the college have been running the event for several years, with each year having a nominated charity, although people can also fundraise for their own charities too. Participants abseil 60feet from the top of the ‘evolve’ college building into Coronation Gardens.

The event runs from 10am to 4pm and the Mayor is set to take the plunge at around 12.30, fundraising for her own charities Dudley Community First Responders, Mary Stevens Hospice, Ups and Downs and Prostate Cancer UK.

This year’s event will support The Whitehouse (Cancer support) and the Ronnie and Friends charity, a baby bereavement charity raising funds towards a new parent bereavement room at Russells Hall Hospital.

Staff and students have already raised thousands of pounds for the Ronnie and Friends charity and have documented their efforts along the way, which they recently transformed into a book, a copy of which was given to the Mayor of Dudley when she attended their recent OUR ARTSFEST exhibition.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Andrea Goddard, said:

I’m scared of heights so the idea of doing this charity abseil is rather nerve wracking. However, I know I’m in the hands of professionals and it’s for a range of good causes.

The students have been amazing, raising money year on year for their chosen charities, which like my charities directly benefit local people and I hope we help make a real contribution with this event.

Phil Brooks, Course Leader in Photography, Dudley College of Technology, said:

We’ve been doing this charity abseil event for a few years now and it’s a great way for students and staff to challenge themselves, have fun and raise money for good causes.

We’re delighted that the Mayor is taking part and hope to welcome her back to further events in the future.

Aimee Garratt, Dudley College lecturer and founder of Ronnie and Friends, said:

I founded Ronnie and Friends in memory of our little boy Ronnie, to help support parents through the devasting loss of their baby. Not only has Ronnie and friends raised nearly 20k towards a second bereavement suite at Russells Hall Hospital, but it has also brought people together, spread kindness and enabled people to push themselves and achieve personal goals when raising money, I am extremely grateful for everyone's support, together we are making a difference.

Ronnie and Friends was founded to support Dudley Group NHS Charity Baby Bereavement by College employee Aimee Garratt, in memory of her son Ronnie. Benefiting from the huge support she received from the trained midwifes and the sanctuary of the specialist bereavement delivery suite at Russells Hall hospital Aimee was motivated to set up her own charity to help other mothers receive the kind of support she valued.