Charity abseil in memory of Kenilworth teenager coming this Saturday

A charity abseil to raise money in the memory of a Kenilworth teenager who died from cancer last year will be held this Saturday (April 9).
Abseilers will descend from the balcony of the Holiday Inn to raise money for Teenager Cancer Trust in the memory of Milan Patel.Abseilers will descend from the balcony of the Holiday Inn to raise money for Teenager Cancer Trust in the memory of Milan Patel.
Abseilers will descend from the balcony of the Holiday Inn to raise money for Teenager Cancer Trust in the memory of Milan Patel.

Milan Patel died aged 14 from a rare form of bone cancer in March 2015. He attended Kenilworth School and played football for Kenilworth Wardens Football Club.

The abseil down Holiday Inn in Abbey End has already raised £6,500 for Teenage Cancer Trust thanks in part to a strong fundraising campaign on social media.

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And over £35,000 has been raised for the charity in Milan’s memory since the first Just Giving page was set up 18 months ago.

The abseil was organised by Paul Calver, Milan’s former football coach at KWFC, who wanted to do something different to raise money in Milan’s memory.

He said: “Preparations are going really well, everything’s coming together and hopefully it will be slick and organised on Saturday.

“Some abseilers are really looking forward to it and some are a bit more nervous.

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People in Kenilworth should come along to give them some moral support and to cheer them on. We want to create a party-like atmosphere.”

Around 65 people have signed up to take part, including Jeremy Wright MP and Kenilworth town councillor Richard Hales. Groups of three people will abseil down the side of the building every 20 minutes.

Jeremy Wright said: “The Teenage Cancer Trust does some fantastic work and after hearing how they helped Milan Patel during his battle with a rare form of bone cancer, I just couldn’t refuse the challenge.”

“If the good people of Kenilworth would like to see their MP jump off a high building or dangling from a rope, this is their chance and all I ask in return is a donation to the Teenage Cancer Trust.”

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Cllr Hales, who has never abseiled before, said: “I don’t have a great head for heights, and I’m doing it as a complete beginner, but it’s a great cause to support.”

Emily Cooper, regional fundraiser at Teenage Cancer Trust for West Midlands, said: “We are really grateful to everyone taking part in the abseil in memory of Milan and for choosing to raise vital funds for Teenage Cancer Trust.

“For every young person we currently reach there’s another we can’t, so this money will help us to support more young people with cancer across the West Midlands.”

The abseil starts at 8.40am and finishes at 5.30pm. Anyone wishing to make a donation online should visit www.justgiving.com/teams/InspiredByMilan

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