Leonardo Hotels Derbyshire Hosts Charity Abseiling Event

When Sight Support Derbyshire wanted to carry out an abseil on Derby’s tallest building it turned to Leonardo Hotels in the city centre.

Spread over 11 floors, the hotel, which was built in 2009, reaches up to an impressive (or daunting depending on your fondness of heights) 110 feet, and is certainly the tallest in Derby.

But that didn’t put our charity fundraisers off in September, as a large number of thrill seekers turned out to help raise funds for Sight Support, which provides essential support and services to over 4,000 blind and partially sighted people around Derbyshire.

Indeed, the participants took their lives into their own hands as they made the journey to the top of Derby’s tallest building, and heroically made the leap off with just a rope between them and certain death.

Thankfully, the ropes held strong and any trepidation turned into exhilaration as the participants made their way to the safety of land, past many of the hotel’s 213 bedrooms and some conference and meeting rooms.

Supported by their friends and family at the bottom, some faced their fears while others took it in their stride, but all scaled the 110 ft building with elegance and agility. Ok, some were perhaps more elegant than others, but they did the job and that’s all that matters.

This year a team of trustees took part from Sight Support Derbyshire, some of whom are registered blind. It was an excellent achievement by those with sight loss.

This was the second annual event of its kind for Sight Support Derbyshire and Leonardo Hotels, and proved to be as much a success as last year, with the event on track to reach its target of over £4,000.

All of the equipment and expertise was provided by Rock and Ice of Ashbourne, while St John Ambulance helped out on the day.