Feeling fantastic
Erdington cover manager Marie Jenns was busy questioning her sanity half an hour before she was due to abseil down the Acelor Mittal Orbit at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Home to the world’s longest tunnel slide, the UK’s tallest sculpture is one of the most striking and enduring visual legacies of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Made of 35,000 bolts and enough steel to make 265 double-decker buses, the Arcelor Mittal Orbit offers extraordinary 20-mile views over the London skyline. As such, it also offers those brave enough the opportunity to experience the UK’s highest freefall abseil…
‘Seriously, what am I doing?’ thought Marie, 30 minutes before finding herself dangling in thin air 262 feet above the city. As a Mental Health and Rowland Hill Fund Ambassador, Marie chose to put her life on the line for both our in-house charity and the mental health charity, MIND.
Speaking after the event, Marie said: ‘It was an amazing experience but yes, that moment when you lean back and dangle 262ft above London is a little scary to say the least, but it's too late then!
‘I’d like to say a huge heartfelt thanks to those who have been a part of my journey and supported me along the way – you know who you are. Thank you to everyone at Erdington Delivery Office for their contributions. It really means a lot.
‘I believe it’s really important for everyone to be aware of the valuable help and support that is available to all of us, and to know where to signpost colleagues who may be experiencing difficulties in their lives, whether they be mental or physical health problems, relationship problems, debt, gambling, bereavement etc. It’s critical that no-one is allowed to feel isolated, judged or alone in times of need.’
If you would like to help Marie reach her £1,000 fundraising target for her two chosen charities, please click here to visit her Sponsor Me page.
Helping our own
Royal Mail’s in-house charity, the Rowland Hill Fund (RHF), supports colleagues, pensioners and their families in times of need.
If you or someone you know needs financial help from the Fund, please call: 0345 600 4586.
The RHF helpline is available 8.30am – 17.00pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; and 9.00am – 17.00pm on Tuesday. If you call outside these hours please leave a message and one of their advisors will call you back.
To find out more about the fund, visit the RHF website. You can also contact them directly at rowland.hill.fund@royalmail.com or follow the fund on Facebook or Twitter.
