When I was asked in September last year by representatives of the Evelina London Children’s Charity if I would like to take part in their abseiling event this year, I can assure you that ‘yes’ was not my answer. I think my only response was a bemused look. During the year I have mentioned the suggestion to many people, half-jokingly, as if I, the most sedentary of people, would undertake something like this. I couldn’t imagine myself in such a position, attached to a rope, dangling from the side of a building.
Then September arrived. And I did it.
“Don’t look down”, was a common piece of advice. I must say that I looked down quite often and enjoyed the view!
An annual event for an important cause
The abseiling event takes place annually down St Thomas’ hospital in London, with participation from people whose children have been cared for by the Evelina London or those who have reason to be grateful for the care given to other family members in the wider hospital group.
I was keen to support the Evelina for several reasons. The hospital was founded by Ferdinand de Rothschild in memory of his wife, Evelina, who died in childbirth in 1866. He wanted to do something to try to prevent such a terrible tragedy happening to other families. Over the last few years, colleagues from Rothschild & Co have been engaged with the hospital in a number of ways. We have hosted the Eranda Rothschild Nursing Scholarships, provided pro bono advice to senior executives from the hospital Trust and bought Christmas gifts for the children. It was time for me to do my bit.
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There was a personal reason too. One of the defining episodes of my childhood was the few months I spent in hospital when I was five and six. I have no particular memories of this, although it did put me off jam, banana or sardine sandwiches which were the daily teatime menu. (Perhaps no one really likes these anyway). Only many years later did I realise how distressing this must have been for my parents, who could visit me daily – but only during limited hours. No one wants their child to be in hospital, but the Evelina offers children and their families such an infinitely better, brighter experience.
I hope that you enjoy these photographs. You will realise who the little trio in the black and white photograph are. They descended the building with me, in a photocopy folded up in my pocket.
I have enjoyed the comments from colleagues and friends, many of which teasingly question my judgement. A family member who has seen some of these images refuses to believe it is me, claiming that the photos are AI generated. I cannot yet answer the question, “straight rappel or spring leaps?”; I fudged that response by saying, “probably both, neither intentionally”!
Melanie successfully raised over £2,000 for Evelina London as part of this event, well above her target.