UBC Daredevils Accomplish ‘Abseil for Autism’ Fundraising Challenge

  On Saturday 28th October, several UBC team members gathered in Northampton to take part in a rather lofty fundraising challenge for The National Autistic Society.

Magda abseiling for National Autistic SocietyUBC and sister company Inigo Business Centres have been raising funds and awareness for The National Autistic Society since summer 2023. The team regularly organises cake sales, coffee mornings, and sporting activities, and has already raised hundreds of pounds thanks to the generosity of clients, colleagues, and friends.

As fundraising challenges go, this latest activity was a particularly tall order.

Magda Bogusz, Damian Cleaver and Lyn Chapman buckled up and took the plunge from the top of the National Lift Tower in Northampton. At a dizzying 418 ft high, it’s the tallest permanent abseil tower in the UK.

It was a first-time abseil for UBC’s daring trio of Centre Managers, yet everyone took it in their stride and made the most of the experience.

Lyn abseiling for National Autistic Society“The abseil challenge was incredibly fun and I am over the moon to see how much money we’ve managed to raise!” said Magda, who manages Sentinel House in Fleet. “I'd absolutely give it another go and I recommend the experience to thrill-seekers!”

Lyn from UBC Cirencester felt the nerves and adrenaline kick in as soon as she saw the tower up close.

“It’s hard to appreciate the height of the structure until you see it. It towers over the houses and appears quite daunting. It was scary doing the facing-down abseil and even harder to convince myself to let go of the safety rail.

"Having said that, I feel a sense of achievement for completing it and would definitely do it again and for such a great cause.”

Damian, from UBC Birmingham Business Park, said one of the most nerve-wracking parts was climbing over the railing and looking down -- “not the best feeling I have to say!”

Damian abseiling for National Autistic Society“Once you are abseiling it’s a wonderful feeling bouncing down the wall and the adrenalin is just wow. I’m still buzzing about it, and yes, I would do it again.

"It was an amazing thing to do for an amazing charity.”

Christine Anderson from UBC’s Forward House in Henley-in-Arden was sadly unable to take part in the abseil due to an injury, but she successfully raised hundreds of pounds in sponsorship funds for the challenge.

The team’s ‘Abseil for Autism’ challenge has so far raised more than £2,031, an incredible amount that will support The National Autistic Society’s mission to help create a society that works for the 700,000 autistic people living in the UK, and their families.

If you would like to offer a contribution in support of The National Autistic Society, please donate online through UBC’s JustGiving page. You can also learn more about The National Autistic Society at www.autism.org.uk.

Thank you for your support!