Brave adrenaline junkies are taking part in a event to raise money for a Sheffield homelessness charity.
People will be abseiling down Sheffield Hallam University’s Owen building on Sunday to raise funds and awareness for Shelter.
Money raised from those attempting the 12 storey drop, will go towards support, advice and services to those facing housing crisis and homelessness in the city.
Azim Nobeebaccus, organiser of this event, said money will be raised for “legal advice for those in housing crisis, training support workers and running the emergency helpline”.
£100 in sponsorship can help fund five emergency calls and £200 could fund eight face to face conversations with an adviser at the Sheffield Hub.
Gabriel Mankevcius, is one of the participants signed up for the abseil and is taking part with three of his colleagues from Blend Kitchen in Ecclesall Road.
So far, Gabriel has raised just over £100 from friends, family and customers at Blend Kitchen and hopes to continue to raise more.
Gabriel has his own personal connections to helping charities like Shelter. He said: “When I was 18 I got jumped outside a nightclub and it was homeless people who actually helped me.
“Every pay day I used to get a sandwich and a drink for a homeless person I would see. I’ve sat down with a lot of homeless people just to have a bit of chat with them. I used to do a book swap with a homeless man and we’d swap books every week.”
Shelter focus on “hidden homelessness” which Azim explained is a large proportion of people who aren’t necessarily sleeping on the streets but need the help of the charity.
Azim said: “Because of the cost of living crisis, people that were comfortable six to eight months ago, are now facing homelessness. That’s going up at dramatic rates.
“Shelter charity and doing this fundraiser should just remind people that this problem is big and is getting bigger.”
So far, there approximately 30 people will be taking part in the abseil. However, as Shelter hope to grow this number even more they have waived the sign-up fee, so that anyone can take part for no charge.
Gabriel said he isn’t too worried about the drop as he has done skydives and bungee jumps before this but is “really looking forward to the day”.
Azim added: “People seem really excited to do this so hopefully it’s going to be a great day and we can raise a lot of money.”