I'm taking on the King's Abseil 2026!

I'll be abseiling 100ft down the Golden Jubilee Wing at King's College Hospital, London to make the best care possible for everyone across King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

This is personally special to me as they have recently given me and my family hope for my cousin Hollie.

Please read Hollies story below to understand how important your donations are to this foundation.

My name is Hollie, I’m 30 years old, and four years ago my life changed forever.

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at just seven years old. Before my health deteriorated, I was living my dream of running my own businesses — Hollie’s Little Shop and Hollie’s Little Tea Room & Bakery. They were my absolute pride and joy, and I poured my heart and soul into them.

Around four and a half years ago, I became extremely unwell with relentless nausea and vomiting. After countless hospital admissions, tests and appointments, I was repeatedly dismissed and even told that my symptoms were psychological. Eventually, after spending over a year in hospital, I was finally diagnosed with Gastroparesis — a chronic condition which has left my stomach severely paralysed and caused widespread nerve damage.

I have tried almost every treatment available, including medication, different diets, feeding tubes, stomach Botox and a G-POEM procedure, but sadly nothing has stopped the vomiting.

The constant vomiting and severe dehydration caused further devastating complications, including kidney disease which has now progressed to kidney failure. I require regular dialysis and desperately hope to eventually be well enough for a kidney and pancreas transplant.

After spending long periods in hospital, I became completely bedbound and developed severe neuropathy, leaving me unable to walk. I also lost significant strength and independence and have required extensive nursing care, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

King’s College Hospital saved my life

In February 2026, everything took another devastating turn.

I developed sepsis, which caused endocarditis, a vegetation on my heart, a leaking heart valve and multiple organ failure. I was rushed from ICU at Princess Royal University Hospital to King’s College Hospital, where specialist doctors were faced with an incredibly complex and critical situation.

I was too weak to undergo the emergency heart surgery I needed, so I was placed into an induced coma to give my body a chance to recover.

I remained in a coma for four weeks.

During that time, my mum was repeatedly told that I was unlikely to survive and to prepare for the worst.

But the incredible team at King’s College Hospital never gave up on me!

When I finally woke, I was still critically ill. I had a tracheostomy and could not speak or breathe independently. I had to learn to communicate through sign language and writing, despite being too weak to properly move my hands and arms.

With the incredible support of the doctors, nurses, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and the wider team at King’s, I slowly began to regain some strength and independence.

At first, I couldn’t even hold my head up. Today, I can help with parts of my own personal care — something I never thought possible during those darkest days.

My recovery has been incredibly difficult. I have suffered aspiration pneumonia, swallowing problems, further infections and countless procedures. I have required numerous lines and ongoing medical treatment, and I continue to face significant sight loss caused by complications from my illness.

I am still waiting for several major operations, including heart surgery, eye surgery and, hopefully, kidney and pancreas transplants when I am strong enough.

One of the most special moments of my recovery at King’s College Hospital was becoming the first official patient to visit their new rooftop garden for critically ill patients. Being able to get outside and feel the fresh air after everything I had been through was an experience I will never forget. It was even featured on BBC News and seen around the world.

I am incredibly grateful to everyone at King’s College Hospital who fought for me, cared for me and helped me get to where I am today. Their dedication gave me another chance at life.

Now I just want the chance to live it.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will not only help me, but also all other patients at Kings to get closer to home and give us all the chance to gain a little more independence and happiness back that has been taken away.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my story, for your support and for helping me keep fighting. 💗

Staff, patients and their loved ones show courage every day across King’s hospitals, so now it's my turn to show courage and descend to make a difference. I'd be really grateful if you could support me with a kind donation.

Your support can help make the best care possible for patients by raising money for innovative research and pioneering treatment, cutting-edge equipment and facilities, and supporting NHS staff. Thank you!