Man, 73, abseils 160ft down hospital as thank you for ‘life changing’ care

A 73-year-old cancer survivor with sight impairment abseiled 160ft down a hospital as a thank you for the care he received for almost three decades.

Nigel Haselden, former councillor for Clapham Town for 16 years, was given a 10 per cent chance of surviving five years when he was diagnosed with an aggressive bladder tumour in 2004.

Following an eight-hour surgery to remove the tumour and four months of chemotherapy at Guy’s and St Thomas’, he was given the all-clear 10 years later.

Last weekend, Mr Haselden abseiled down Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital in Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, where both his wife, Eileen, 71, and son, Conor, 31, were born, to give something back for the 28 years of care he has received.

Mr Haselden, who has a fundraising target of £1,000 for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, said: “I’m very indebted for the attention I’ve had, and the abseil is one way to give something back.

“My heart stopped for a millisecond when I stepped off at first, but the descent was tremendous, the views were amazing, and I really enjoyed it!”

Mr Haselden is currently under the care of the ophthalmology, haematology, and physiotherapy teams at the Trust.

Alongside his cancer treatment, Mr Haselden had several operations for glaucoma and a detached retina. In 2014 he was registered sight impaired, and has 50 per cent vision.

In the same year he was diagnosed with smouldering myeloma, an asymptomatic form of myeloma which requires close monitoring by the haematology team.

He said: “No one should want to go to hospital, but I almost feel it’s a comforting presence.”

The former councillor was joined by 330 other thrill-seekers at the St Thomas’ Abseil sponsored by Livingbridge.

The annual challenge raises vital funds for Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, Guy’s Cancer Charity and Evelina London Children’s Charity.

Cassandre Petit, clinical haematology fellow at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “It is fantastic to see how well Nigel is doing, and we are grateful for his ongoing support for the Trust. We all wish him a big congratulations on his abseiling challenge and fundraising.”

To support Nigel’s fundraising visit: https://fundraise.gsttcharity.org.uk/pf/nigel-haselden

Pictured top: Nigel Haselden abseils down Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital (Picture: Rose Bainbridge Photography)