Staff at Fairhurst Estates and their sister company Red Rock FM have taken to the sky over gorgeous Snowdonia to raise money for a very worthy cause close to their hearts, Newlife Foundation. The intrepid flyers zipped along Titan, the largest Zip Zone in Europe and the first of its kind: the only 4 person zip line in Europe, reaching speeds up to 70mph over moor, mountain and mine.
The zip wire challenge was nominated by Fairhurst Estate team member Emily-Jane Lewis from Stockport, whose young son Noah lives with severe disabilities due to complications at birth when he was starved of oxygen for 41 minutes due to a nasty infection.
Emily-Jane’s reward for her bravery and that of her 11 colleagues was to raise more than £850 for the NewLife Foundation adding to funds already raised by Emily-Jane which is in excess of £2,000 through other local fundraising.
Mum Emily-Jane said life with Noah was “challenging”:
“It is hard. It’s not what we expected; I’m just so grateful to everyone who has helped me to raise this money and to NewLife”.
The charity, its support and the specialist equipment it has provided Noah was at the forefront of Emily-Jane’s mind as she took the plunge at Zip World in North Wales. She faced her fear of heights while tearing along the Titan, the longest zip wire in Europe, at speeds of up to 70mph.
“I hate heights, it was absolutely awful,” she confessed. “I was very nervous to say the least. I did it but I wouldn’t be in a rush to do it again.”
Emily’s (above right) with her colleague at Fairhurst Estates Luke Atkinson who took it in his stride, saying:
“A lot people were scared. It could’ve been even faster for myself.”
Alison Thornley of Fairhurst Estates described Emily-Jane and her partner as inspirational:
“All of us at Fairhurst Estates are full of admiration for Emily and her partner Nathan. They always tackle any challenge faced by Noah with positive and cheerful determination.
“Noah (pictured lefy in his chair) has recently been discharged from Stepping Hill Hospital, where he’d won the hearts of his nursing team, and now lives at home full time with his mummy & daddy.”
“Noah has really benefitted from the specialist equipment provided by Newlife. It’s great that Emily chose to raise funds for a local charity.
“Noah is a beautiful little boy, dearly loved by his family and all who know him.”
Funds are still being accepted so if you would like to make a donation, please visit Noah’s Just Giving page.