Staff and student teams support Christmas charity abseil

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Twelve teams from Swansea University have taken part in a charity abseil from Swansea Civic Centre, helping to raise money for two charities which were established in Swansea to fund the education and care of underprivileged African township children.

Charity abseilStaff and student teams entered the event in support of the SOS Africa and Swansea-Siavonga charities. SOS Africa founder, Matt Crowcombe graduated from Swansea University in January after completing his PhD while Swansea-Siavonga was founded by Swansea University’s Christine Watson MBE.

More than 100 people, many in festive costumes, formed a total of 17 teams aged between 4 and 60 and completed the 120ft abseil which was supervised by instructors from Cheddar Climbing Caving.

So far £7,000 has been raised but organisers hope that the final total will reach £10,000 by the fundraising deadline of 6pm on 11 January 2015.  The funds will be split equally between the two charities and the top fundraising team will win 2 flight tickets to see our projects in Africa.

View the event here

Swansea abseilFounder of SOS Africa, Matt Crowcombe said: "It was a tremendous show of support from Swansea University staff, students and the local community. It was a memorable weekend with many inspirational moments of bravery and generosity. My favourite moment had to be witnessing 4 year old Tamzin tandem abseiling with her dad John on Sunday afternoon.

“I would like to thank Swansea Council for allowing us to host this event at the Civic Centre and to all of the staff for assisting us.  We hope to be able to organise an even bigger abseil event within the university in the future.”

Andrea's angels

Christine Watson, M.B.E, manager of Discovery, Swansea University’s student volunteering organisation said:  “This was an amazing event where people faced their fears to help disadvantaged children in Africa, through our two projects.  Many of Discovery’s volunteers participated behind the scenes as well as those who took up the huge challenge of abseiling the 120ft tower – and I thank them for their commitment and bravery. The teams turned out in some amazing fancy dress outfits to spur people along and the fundraising is still going on.   

“The Swansea Siavonga Partnership launched its scholarship scheme in 2013 and this money will make a huge difference to the lives of children in Siavonga Zambia. I would also like to thank the SOS Africa project for partnering with us on this and we look forward to even bigger events together in the future.”

To donate please visit https://www.justgiving.com/teams/SwanseaCivicCentreAbseil