Dawn's Abseil Challenge
Midhurst Court resident Dawn Harris was amongst 130 brave participants who took part in the KM Charity Team Abseil staged at the Golding Homes’ residential block of flats on Sunday 5 June.
Despite her fear of heights, Dawn took on this challenge in memory of her 15 year old son Michael, who tragically died from solvent abuse in 2002
Michael’s death came as a huge shock to Dawn as she only realised something was wrong the day before he died, when they had an argument over a missing canister of light fuel and ever since she has been campaigning to raise awareness of the issue. “Young people are dying from solvent abuse every day and there needs to be more publicity about it.” she said.
Amongst the many fundraising events Dawn has organised over the years to raise money for Re-Solv, she has also taken part in a tandem skydive. “It was the first time 
I had been in a plane, let alone jumping out of it!” she commented. Dawn decided to take part in the abseil challenge when she received a letter from Golding Homes about the event. “I live on the top floor and have used the lifts and the stairs, so I thought why not abseil down the building.”
On the day, residents and friends from Midhurst Court were out in force to support Dawn and cheer her on as she scaled down the 130ft building. One resident said; “She is a remarkable lady and has got guts to do the abseil. We were all behind her.”
There was a huge sense of relief from the crowd as Dawn reached the bottom of the building and talking about the experience, Dawn said: “The worse thing was going over the edge, but I feel really great that I did it and achieved something for Michael…… but never again!” Dawn has so far raised over £200 for Re-Solv. Donations can be made online at her Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dawnharrisabseil
This annual abseil event raised over £25k for good causes and was the biggest ever abseil event to be staged by the KM Charity Team in the last ten years.
Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team said “I am so grateful to Golding Homes and the tenants of Midhurst Court who allowed us to stage the event. It was massively popular and the partnership with Golding Homes has been a spectacular success this year.”
You can view photos from the day by visiting our Facebook album.