SLIDESHOW: Over £16,000 raised in charity abseil in Milan Patel's memory

An abseil in the memory of Kenilworth teenager Milan Patel held last Saturday raised over £16,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Apr 2016, 13:14 BST
Updated 11th Apr 2016, 14:17 BST
Abseiling down the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in the memory of local teenager Milan Patel, who died of cancer a year ago. Intrepid abseilers Cllr Richard Hales, Jeremy Wright MP and Milan's father Rash Patel . MHLC-09-04-16-Abseil for Milan Patel NNL-160904-221406009Abseiling down the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in the memory of local teenager Milan Patel, who died of cancer a year ago. Intrepid abseilers Cllr Richard Hales, Jeremy Wright MP and Milan's father Rash Patel . MHLC-09-04-16-Abseil for Milan Patel NNL-160904-221406009
Abseiling down the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in the memory of local teenager Milan Patel, who died of cancer a year ago. Intrepid abseilers Cllr Richard Hales, Jeremy Wright MP and Milan's father Rash Patel . MHLC-09-04-16-Abseil for Milan Patel NNL-160904-221406009

Milan, who attended Kenilworth School and played football for Kenilworth Wardens Football Club, died from a rare form of bone cancer last year at the age of 14.

The abseil, organised by Milan’s former football coach Paul Calver, saw 64 people shimmy down Kenilworth’s Holiday Inn on Saturday April 9, including Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright, Kenilworth town councillor Richard Hales and Milan’s father Rash Patel.

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Paul said: “It was an absolutely brilliant day and it went far better than we ever could have imagined. When I first thought of an abseil I though £2,000 would be a nice figure to raise, but to get to £16,000 is beyond anyone’s expectations.

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Abseiling down the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in the memory of local teenager Milan Patel, who died of cancer a year ago. Intrepid abseilers Cllr Richard Hales, Jeremy Wright MP and Milan's father Rash Patel . MHLC-09-04-16-Abseil for Milan Patel NNL-160904-221406009Abseiling down the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in the memory of local teenager Milan Patel, who died of cancer a year ago. Intrepid abseilers Cllr Richard Hales, Jeremy Wright MP and Milan's father Rash Patel . MHLC-09-04-16-Abseil for Milan Patel NNL-160904-221406009
Abseiling down the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in the memory of local teenager Milan Patel, who died of cancer a year ago. Intrepid abseilers Cllr Richard Hales, Jeremy Wright MP and Milan's father Rash Patel . MHLC-09-04-16-Abseil for Milan Patel NNL-160904-221406009

“The abseilers were excellent - some were extremely nervous but not one person bailed out of doing it.

“Lots of people turned up to watch and support on the day, and some people who came wanted to sign up and join in.

“I am incredibly proud of what’s been achieved so far for Teenage Cancer Trust. I am so grateful to everyone for their support in making it such an amazing event.”

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Paul decided to organise the abseil in the first place because it was “something different.” He had previously been the driving force behind a variety of fundraisers including the #SupportMilansThirdBattle hashtag, which many high-profile footballers, including Wayne Rooney, supported by wearing wristbands.

Abseiling down the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in the memory of local teenager Milan Patel, who died of cancer a year ago. Intrepid abseilers Cllr Richard Hales, Jeremy Wright MP and Milan's father Rash Patel . MHLC-09-04-16-Abseil for Milan Patel NNL-160904-221406009Abseiling down the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in the memory of local teenager Milan Patel, who died of cancer a year ago. Intrepid abseilers Cllr Richard Hales, Jeremy Wright MP and Milan's father Rash Patel . MHLC-09-04-16-Abseil for Milan Patel NNL-160904-221406009
Abseiling down the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in the memory of local teenager Milan Patel, who died of cancer a year ago. Intrepid abseilers Cllr Richard Hales, Jeremy Wright MP and Milan's father Rash Patel . MHLC-09-04-16-Abseil for Milan Patel NNL-160904-221406009

And he said he will continue to plan fundraising events in the future, including the possibility of hosting another abseil next year.

Emily Cooper, Regional Fundraiser for Teenage Cancer Trust said: “We are incredibly grateful to Paul, Milan’s family and the rest of the team for all their hard work and continued support.

“The funds raised will ensure we can support local young people with cancer and make sure they don’t feel alone during this difficult time.”

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The £16,000 raised by the abseil means the total amount raised for Teenage Cancer Trust is now over £40,000 since fundraising for Milan started 18 months ago.

Paul wished to thank Holiday Inn for freely hosting the abseil, Waitrose for providing food for free, event company The Outer Edge, KindaBrilliant Events which provided music and Gecko Photography.

Donations can still be made by visiting justgiving.com/teams/inspiredbymilan