Spider Matt! Spider Matt! Our Ops Director’s 560ft challenge for Macmillan Caring Locally

Back in 2016, our courageous Operations Director, Matt Jenkins, took to the skies to raise funds for a local charity close to the hearts of all of us here at DNPR, Lewis-Manning Hospice. With the adrenaline finally worn off, on the last day of June 2018, Matt took part in another daring vertical challenge this time in aid of Macmillan Caring Locally.

DNPR has worked with this charity for over four years and in that time we have seen the incredible work that their unit in Christchurch Hospital does for local people who need palliative care. However, in recent years, the unit has seen a huge increase in the number of referrals – from 581 patients in 2006 to over 15,000 in 2017.  As such, the charity needs to build a new £10m unit to help them meet the influx of referrals and provide specialist palliative care to patients with advanced, progressive, incurable illnesses including cancer, motor neurone disease or heart and lung conditions as well as giving support to families, carers and friends.

Wanting to play his part beyond the PR work we assist the charity with, Matt decided to channel his favourite ‘Avenger’ and cling to the walls of Spinnaker Tower a la Spiderman! Matt joined a team of fundraisers who were conquering their fears and raising money in the memory of loved ones for the 560ft abseil down Portsmouth’s iconic tower.

Matt said:

“Although heights don’t usually bother me – I must admit I underestimated Spinnaker Tower! 560ft              really does feel high when you’re slowly descending down with nothing but a rope to pull on. Plus, there was quite a hairy moment when the wind decided to put me on the other side of Spinnaker Tower! The abseil was also a lot more physical than I was expecting and gave me a bit of a core work out…

However, with the sun shining down on Gunwharf quays it felt like I was in Barcelona rather than Portsmouth and being up that high provided some pretty spectacular views! It’s something I’d definitely do again.”

So far, Matt has raised over £300 for Macmillan Caring Locally and his Just Giving page is still open for donations for anyone who wishes to support him in aiding the ‘Brick By Brick’ appeal which still needs to raise over £5million to build the new unit.

Some more from Matt:

“I hope my small act of bravery will go some way towards helping Macmillan Caring Locally raise the £5 million they need for the new unit. Thanks so much to everyone who has sponsored me so far. If you would like to support my fundraising, no matter the amount, I’d be hugely grateful.”

You can donate to Matt’s Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matt-jenkins5

Matt Jenkins from Darren Northeast PR Undertakes Charity Abseil for Macmillan Caring Locally