Newcastle Hospitals Charity have partnered with Chuf (Children’s Heart Unit Fund) to host the inaugural ‘Heroes on the Hospital Walls’ event.
The event, held over two days, celebrated the inspiring children and families cared for at the Great North Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital. Recognising their courage and resilience, the symbolic abseil saw participants descend the hospital building as a tribute to the everyday bravery of young patients.
Over 200 patients, staff, family members and corporate supporters took part in the 70ft abseil, raising vital funds to support the Great North Children’s Hospital Fund, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity and Chuf. The funds will help provide enhanced care, equipment and experiences for children and their families undergoing treatment at both the Freeman Hospital’s Children’s Heart Unit and the Great North Children’s Hospital.
Katy Wilson, a therapeutic radiographer at the Freeman Hospital took on the challenge in memory of her cousin Lilly who sadly died in 2025. Ahead of the challenge she said: “I’m nervous but excited to be doing it for such a good cause. I wanted to do something to raise money and to do this in the place where we spent so much time with Lilly while she was receiving treatment makes it even more special.”
Seb Hollingsworth, a patient at the Freeman Hospital for most of his life who took part in the event, commented ahead of his abseil: “Chuf is my family’s way of saying thank you to the doctors and nurses who saved my life. I hope me abseiling and raising some money can contribute to that gratitude. I’m feeling excited about it and think it will be really fun and enjoyable.”
The ‘Heroes on the Hospital Walls’ event brought together patients, families, staff and supporters from across the North East, with over £46,000 raised so far.
Speaking after the event, Emma McQuitty, campaign officer at Newcastle Hospitals Charity, said: “It was amazing to see so many people take part in our first ‘Heroes on the Hospital Walls’ event and we are so grateful to everyone who took part. The funds raised will contribute to a range of projects that support patients and their families across our children’s services.”
Shannon Hands, Community and Volunteer Fundraiser at Chuf, added: “It was a brilliant day and really special to see so many people come together in support of two incredible local causes. To us, it was more than just an abseil event – it was a tribute to bravery, resilience and hope. The funds raised will make a real difference where it matters most, right here in the North East.”
