Staff member and friend climb for QE Cancer Appeal

An intrepid pair of friends have raised an impressive £785 for the QE Cancer Appeal after completing an awe-inspiring 125 rock climbing routes in Derbyshire.

Simon Palmer, who has worked as a Ward Housekeeper at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for nearly six years, tackled the challenge with his friend Dylan Burgess on Thursday 20 June 2016. Simon, from Bartley Green, and Dylan, from Alcester, are both keen rock climbers – Simon for 33 years and Dylan for 25. They decided to aim to complete 100 routes in a single day to support patients with cancer at QEHB.

“The rainy weather put paid to some of the routes we wanted to climb,” said Simon, speaking about their accomplishment the following day. But the persevering pair weren’t about to let some rain put a dampener on their fundraising!

The early-rising duo began at Stanage Edge in Derbyshire at 4.45am, but moved on at about midday to Birchen Edge, where they stayed until 9pm that night, having smashed their target and climbed 125 routes in total, raising vital funds for the QE Cancer Appeal in the process.

“We all know so many people who have been affected by cancer,” said Simon. “It’s very close to my heart. I’m really proud we were able to go over our target and get so much climbing done, and for a cause we both feel really passionately about. Thanks to everyone who donated.”

Laura Power, Senior Fundraiser at QEHB Charity, said: “Simon and Dylan should be very proud, their fundraising has generated important funds and awareness for the QE Cancer Appeal which supports patients with cancer at QEHB, including groundbreaking research into new treatments. We’re really grateful to everyone who donated and to Simon and Dylan for supporting the appeal – thank you!”

For more information about the QE Cancer Appeal, go to qehb.org/qecancer