100 foot leap to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis.

A Birmingham City Council employee will help to beat cystic fibrosis on Sunday, 6 July 2014 by taking part in the Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s by taking part in a 100 foot charity abseil at Villa Park.

Nicola Monkton, 36, from Oldbury will be taking part in the event as part of a team of six made up of colleagues and friends. Nicola’s son George aged three has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Two of Nicola’s team mates have relatives with cystic fibrosis too.

Many people don’t understand what cystic fibrosis is, or what it does, until someone close to them is affected by it. They soon discover it’s a life-shortening genetic condition – only half live to celebrate their 40th birthday. It causes the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, to become clogged with thick sticky mucus, resulting in chronic infections and inflammation of the lungs. The Trust works to develop better treatments and invest in cutting edge research to ensure that people with cystic fibrosis can live longer, healthier lives.

Nicola says she’s really looking forward to abseiling down the Holte end of the stadium: “George requires the daily chest physiotherapy and medication for his cystic fibrosis as well as all the usual care and attention of a lively 3 year old. I want to do this fundraiser to help raise the profile of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to raise awareness of my son’s condition. It’s important to raise money to fund research so that George, and others like him, can really live life to the full – rather than just ‘exist’.”