'He'd be so proud': Local student to abseil Ipswich Hospital
A student from Martlesham will abseil down Ipswich Hospital to honour the grandad she lost two years ago, using her experience to help other families this Dying Matters Awareness Week.
Why it matters: Leah Phelan is taking on Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity's Extreme Abseil next month to raise money for the Time Garden Appeal, which aims to create a calm, peaceful space for patients and their loved ones at the hospital.
The details: Leah was inspired by her grandad, Stephen Wilding from Ipswich, who was cared for at the hospital before his death in 2023. She will be joined by her friend Emily Noye, and has already raised more than £400 with support from family and friends across the UK and abroad.
What she's saying: "The last moments I had with my grandad were spent on a ward and are very special to me, but it can be busy. Having a space away from that, like the Time Garden, would make such a difference for families. It would give people that comfort and somewhere peaceful to be together in those really important moments."
On taking on the challenge so soon after her exams, Leah said: "It felt like the perfect time to try something new and do something meaningful."
As for what her grandad would make of it all: "I think my grandad would be very proud of me. He'd probably just say, 'Oh wow, that's absolutely amazing'."
The bottom line: During Dying Matters Awareness Week, Leah's story is a reminder of how much a quiet, compassionate space can mean to families in their most difficult moments.
Don't forget: If you enjoy our content, please add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google so you can easily find more of the content you value.
This article cost us ~£21 to produce
It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our two community impact partners: local contractor Barnes Construction, and flat roof waterproofing and design firm Axter. Please support us by supporting them.
Below the line