We’re delighted to announce that once again Blackdown Financial is the main sponsor of this year’s St Margaret’s Hospice Santa Abseil. We’re also pleased to share that two of our directors, Neil and Simon, will be pulling on the Santa suits and abseiling down Cheddar Gorge themselves.
St Margaret’s Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support to people and their families across Somerset at the times they need it most. This is not our first time supporting St Margaret’s and the Santa Abseil, we were so proud to be involved in the 2024 event, and the experience made us all the more keen to be part of it again this year.
This year’s abseil is also a special one. It takes place on Saturday 5 December 2026, (coincidentally the day after our work Christmas party!) and the hospice has announced it will be the final time the event is held at Cheddar Gorge due to a change in government legislation so we’ll need to find another reason to get Neil and Simon to don their Santa outfits next year! It makes the 60ft descent, roughly five or six storeys high, all the more memorable, and we’re honoured to be supporting it as main sponsor.
Why Neil and Simon are taking part
We have supported St Margaret’s Hospice for many years in many events, as it is a charity that is very close to our hearts. Both directors have sadly experienced loved ones being tended to by the wonderful charity, their words are below.
Neil says: “My mother-in-law was cared for in the final stages of her life by the excellent team at St Margaret’s Hospice. Seeing first-hand the difference they have made to people’s lives is truly memorable, and I am delighted to be able to help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause.”
Simon says: “St Margaret’s Hospice cared for my father when he became ill, their dedication to him and their patients was and is truly inspiring. They were an incredible support to our family and I’m so grateful to support this cause and to don the Santa outfit once more in aid of a wonderful charity.”
How you can support them
Alongside our sponsorship of the event, we’re raising funds for the hospice along the way. If you would like to, the best way to support Neil and Simon is by sponsoring them through our fundraising page. Every donation, large or small, helps St Margaret’s Hospice continue caring for local people and their families.
There is absolutely no obligation. If you’d rather not donate, a kind word of encouragement, or sharing this page with a friend or family member, would mean just as much to us.
Thank you for being part of the Blackdown community. To keep up with Neil and Simon’s progress, follow our social media pages, where we’ll share updates in the run-up to the big day.