Gillian’s abseil down viaduct for cat charity
Gillian McMullan with some of the gang who abseilled for charity down Dromore Viaduct
A MAMMOTH task was how Portadown girl Gillian McMullen described her latest daring plunge in aid of a charity close to her heart.
She abseiled every terrifying inch of the 74ft drop down the side of Dromore Viaduct.
“I took the pledge to step over the ledge in a bid to raise much needed funds for Armagh Cats Protection,” said Gillian.
And the plucky girl raised over £2,500.
“This was a mammoth challenge for me as I have a serious fear of heights. Even standing on a stool to change a lightbulb makes me dizzy,” she said.
“The abseil was absolutely terrifying but the Mobile Team Adventure people were great and gave us all a lot of encouragement.”
Gillian carried out the abseiling feat on September 15 and vowed it won’t be her last daredevil stint to raise cash for charity.
“Last year I did a fire walk over hot coals and raised just under £1,000. I’ve also done a parachute jump so not sure what I’ll do next year,” said the daredevil.
“With a full-time job and all the fostering, fundraising and neutering service all done in my spare time, it’s not easy to find time for anything else,” she said.
As branch coordinator for Armagh Cats Protection, Gillian said, “Our branch is struggling financially as are all animal charities at the minute. Homing/adoption figures are down on last year but sadly the intake numbers are up.
“Many pet owners are finding vet costs and pet food bills just too much of a strain in this current economic state and sadly the animals are suffering as a result.
“Many of the cats/kittens come to us as a result of owners just not being able to afford vet bills for broken legs and other common commplaints.
“One such cat...Tabitha, a tiny five-week-old kitten had a bad cat flu and her owners simply could not afford to have her treated at the vets.
“She came to us dehydrated, one eye almost lost and had trouble breathing due to upper respiratory congestion.”
Gillian continued, “Tabitha was nursed back to help and given round the clock care and thankfully made a full recovery.”
“Thanks to the recent article in the Portadown Times she was sucessfully adopted.”
Donations can still be made online for the abseil at www.justgiving.com/Armagh/CatsProtection
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Wednesday 19 June 2013
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