• Daredevil climb generates £24,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support
• National Grid staff in two-year partnership to raise half a million pounds for Macmillan
It was a case of ‘fortune favours the brave’ for plucky Hammersmith resident Stephanie Hazell as her white-knuckle climb to the top of a 150-foot electricity pylon helped generate a whopping £24,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
National Grid’s Corporate Strategy and Business Development Director, Stephanie led an intrepid eight-strong team to fundraising success as they scaled a National Grid training pylon taller than Nelson’s column.
Donations poured in for the adrenaline-fuelled fundraiser, held at National Grid’s Eakring training academy in Nottinghamshire, on Thursday (4 June).
Thanks to generous colleagues, friends and family, the fearless band doubled their original charity target to more than £12,000. National Grid has pledged to match their efforts, with £24,000 set to be handed over to Macmillan to pay for heating grants for people with cancer.
Stephanie said: “It was an amazing experience – exhausting, exhilarating and just a little terrifying! Even more amazing, though, was the generous response from colleagues, family and friends – the fundraising target has far exceeded our expectations.
“All this money will support Macmillan’s excellent work in caring for people with cancer.”
Macmillan was voted by National Grid employees as the company’s chosen charity but it was a personal brush with cancer that also encouraged Stephanie to take up the challenge.
“Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way. I was diagnosed with a tumour in my leg while at university. My prognosis was excellent and I am left with just a large scar but many others face far more serious challenges,” she explained.
In a two-year fundraising partnership with Macmillan, National Grid staff are aiming to raise half a million pounds to fund heating grants for people with cancer.
Full safety precautions were taken for the climb. The eight-strong team donned protective equipment before being harnessed to the training pylon, which is connected to non-live wires, and is used to train linesmen. They were accompanied by qualified National Grid engineers throughout the event.
Members of the public should never attempt to climb pylons. It is extremely dangerous as they risk death or serious injury from high voltage electricity or falls.