A brave Inverness mum is set to take on a charity abseil for the second time this month, preparing to scale the heights of the iconic Dunrobin Castle after conquering her fears.
Rachel Wilson will be joined by her 13-year-old son Joel, who was too young to take part in the previous abseil in aid of The Archie Foundation but is now excited to join in and raise money for the charity which supported his sister as a baby.
Rachel and Joel will join up to 48 other daredevils who will step backwards off the highest tower at Dunrobin Castle on Saturday, October 18 to raise thousands for the children’s hospital charity.
Mum to Joel and Edie (8), with two step-children, Rachel and her family spent time in Raigmore Hospital when Edie was just four days old.
“When Edie was a baby she ended up with jaundice so we spent three nights in hospital so she could be treated. We got our own room and my husband Andrew was travelling back and forth between us and being at home with Joel.
“Of course, Edie was just a tiny baby but Joel was welcomed in and was able to play outside and in the playroom. The support for us as a family too so much pressure off having a young child and a sick newborn.”
The family donated Christmas gifts to The Archie Foundation as a gesture of thanks for all the support and care they received, when Edie became unwell again at the age of nine months.
“We knew she was very unwell and we were sent to Raigmore again where she was seen straight away and underwent lots of tests. They didn’t know what was wrong but sepsis was mentioned and seeing our baby so ill was awful.
“Coincidentally, we were given the same room as the previous time. The staff were amazing and the support just made everything easier. We had follow up appointments with a consultant but Edie recovered well and we wanted to give something back to say thank you. That’s when I heard about the first abseil off Dunrobin in 2022, so I signed up to take part.”
Rachel remembers stepping off the edge and leaning backwards.
“You have to step over and get yourself down, and it’s high up! I remember my feet were still on the edge and the team told me I had to keep leaning back! But it was over before I knew it and it felt very surreal – I couldn’t believe I had done it.
“I was so proud of myself but swore I wouldn’t do it again, until my sister saw an advert for this year’s abseil. Joel overheard me talking about it asked if he was old enough to do it this time. I couldn’t really say no so we’re in it together! He is a little nervous but very excited.”
Joel, who is 13 and in S2, and his mum have raised more than £600 for The Archie Foundation.
“We are so grateful to The Archie Foundation for everything the charity did to make things easier for us. Even like going to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, they had travel mugs and everything you need. All the little things like that make a real difference and you can focus on your child and getting them better,” added Rachel, who is office manager at the family business, Highland Decorating Services.
Neil McGregor, business development and fundraising manager for the Highlands, is also taking part in the abseil with his son Murray.
All proceeds will go towards delivering vital support and services to babies, children, and families across the Highlands and Islands, Grampian and Tayside.
“All donations collected at The Archie Foundation’s charity abseils, and all of our other fundraising activities, go such a long way in supporting us to continue delivering vital services for babies, children and their families in across Grampian, Tayside and the Highlands,” said Neil. “We are so grateful to Rachel, Joel and all the other brave participants who are taking a step into the unknown on Saturday.”
This will be the final opportunity to abseil down the castle, making it a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.
All equipment and expert guidance for the abseil challenge will be provided by the experienced team at Active Outdoor Pursuits.
To sponsor Rachel and Joel, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/rachelmwilson and visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation.