Twelve young people from Carlisle are abseiling down the Carlisle Council Civic Centre building at 1pm on Saturday the 20th of July to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit at Cumberland Infirmary. They will be supported by five team members on the ground and joined by Inspira staff, Ros Rowcliffe, Lorenna Cairns and National Citizen Service (NCS) graduate Jack Todd.

During the day a total of sixty volunteers will abseil down the building representing the charities, STAGS, Second Time Around Grandparent Support; 4Lewis, support for parents of still born and miscarriage babies; and the Poppy Graham Appeal – all of whom are raising money for the Special Care Baby Unit.

The young people are part of this year’s National Citizen Service, a country-wide programme for 16 and 17yr olds, delivered by Inspira in Cumbria and Lancashire. NCS is a once in a lifetime opportunity that helps young people build skills for work and life, while taking on new challenges and making their mark by volunteering for community projects.

“On Tuesday the young people visited the Cumberland Infirmary to understand more about the care unit,” said Lorenna Cairns, Professional Adviser with Inspira. “They were surprised to find out that the care unit relies heavily on donations from charities in order to purchase the life saving equipment – equipment which has saved the life of some of their own family members.”

Some of the NCS participants busked in Carlisle on Wednesday and raised £144 for the unit. They will do the same on Saturday. The abseil will run from 10am until approximately 2.30pm.

For more information or photo opportunity on the day, call

Lorenna Cairns – 07812224430

Ros Rowcliffe – 07812224420

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