Brave fundraisers gear-up to Tackle the Tower for Renal Home Therapies

On Saturday 17 May, four fantastic fundraisers will take on our charity’s upcoming Tackle the Tower abseil, descending the side of Southend Hospital’s iconic tower block to raise vital funds for the Renal Home Therapies Unit.

The team — Charley Horne, Alison Painter, Joseph Pharro and Abubaka Adeyemi — are aiming to raise £3,000 and have already achieved over £2,000. Funds raised are aimed at supporting the Home Therapies Training Room, helping to make it a more welcoming and less clinical space for patients learning to dialyse at home.

Leading the charge is Alison Painter, Home Therapies Sister at Southend Hospital, who has never faced a challenge quite like this. “Heights aren’t my favourite thing,” she said, “but I’m focusing on how amazing it will feel once I’m safely at the bottom — and knowing I’ve done it for our patients.”

Alison is joined by Charley Horne, the only male member — and current President — of the North Thameside Ladies Auxiliary and owner of The Pink Toothbrush nightclub, along with chef Abubaka Adeyemi of The Castle pub and Joseph Pharro, son of Georgina Pharro, Manager of the Home Therapies Team.

While the abseil is the headline event, the team are equally passionate about the cause it supports: raising awareness of renal home therapies. “Home dialysis allows patients greater independence and control over their treatment,” Alison added. “It improves quality of life — it’s the way forward.”

There are still places available for those brave enough to join the challenge – you can sign up here.

To support the Renal Home Therapies team, visit justgiving.com/team/hometherapies to make a donation. Every contribution helps patients feel more confident, empowered, and supported on their life-saving home dialysis journey.