Big Ben Climb
Southend Adult Community College Young Students Climb Big Ben to Raise Money for Charity.
A Southend College has risen over £240 for the Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI) charity by climbing Big Ben. A group of 16-19 year old students from Southend Adult Community College (SACC) took the opportunity of a tour of the 150 year old Clock Tower at Parliament.
The tour took the students up the 334 steps inside the Westminster Clock, to hear Big Ben strike the hour when they arrive at the top.
Students have risen over £240 and sponsorship money is still coming in. Debbie Angel, 16-19 provision coordinator at SACC said: "This is a fantastic team building activity for our young students who are currently studying at SACC. They have worked very hard and have grabbed this opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause".
CRI Gateway offer residents of Southend support and confidential treatment for adults with problems regarding substance misuse including open access advice, recovery focused groups, and a women’s service.
Beverley Ball, service manager at Southend Gateway Substance Misuse Service, CRI, said “On behalf of CRI Gateway, I would like to thank the students involved in the climb. With this money, we will be able to pay for materials and meaningful activities for our Service User Representative Group who play a vital role in service feedback and development.”
Following consent from a local MP to complete the climb, the students had a chance to walk behind the clock face, and visit the mechanism room to see how the clock functions.
The group returned to Southend with a certificate of achievement to mark the day. It was a great opportunity for students to find out about the history of Big Ben.
