Abseiling students take on the Tower for charity

They may be cool under pressure in the classroom, but University of Dundee Nursing students will have to prove they have a head for heights when they take on a charity abseil this weekend.

A combined team of eight students and staff will descend the University’s Tower Building on Sunday to raise funds for the Archie Foundation.

Dubbed ‘Archie’s Angels,’ the group is already flying high in its fundraising efforts, with the event set to raise more than £5,000 for the charity.

Among those set to lower themselves down one of the city’s highest buildings is Nursing Lecturer Karen Tosh, who said that experiences throughout their studies had encouraged the students to take part.

“Our child nursing students have clinical placements in Tayside Children’s Hospital and have learned about the incredible work of the Archie Foundation, its charity partner, which helps around 200,000 children every year.

“The students are aware of how important the work of the Archie Foundation is in providing additional resources for children and I am incredibly proud that they have chosen to take on this challenge. It was their enthusiasm that encouraged me to face my own fears and agree to take part when they asked me.

“I will be nervous when it is my turn to step over the edge, but I am sure that a little team encouragement from Archie’s Angels will help me through the experience.”

This weekend’s abseil is the latest Archie Foundation fundraiser to have been backed by Dundee students. Last year, a team of 17 students took part in a sponsored skydive, raising hundreds of pounds.

The Archie Foundation is one of several charities expected to benefit on Sunday, with abseiling fundraisers also taking place in aid of Marie Curie and Epilepsy Scotland.