Daughter tackling fear of heights in mum’s memory
An inspiring young woman from Southend, who is terrified of heights, is preparing to complete a 154-foot charity abseil in honour of her late mum.
Alena Grant, 24, will be raising funds for Southend Hospital’s renal unit, where her mum, Lisa, was treated for many years.
She said: “I spent a lot of time on the ward, often celebrating birthdays, Christmases and Mothers’ Days there with my mum. Staff didn’t just care for her, they also supported me and my younger sister, Charlotte. I want to give something back, for all of us.”
She’ll be doing that by descending the tower block at Southend Hospital on Saturday 16 May, for Tackle the Tower.
Alena may be scared of heights, but she has faced and conquered many other challenges others her age have not had to, already showing her courage and determination.
Lisa, a single mother to her daughters, died very suddenly in 2023. Alena, 21 at the time, became guardian to Charlotte who was ten.
Alena said:
I want to do this to honour my mum and to show my sister that you can do anything, even the things that scare you. I’ve seen how quickly health can change, and how any one of us might suddenly need hospital care.
I never want anyone to feel alone or without comfort during that time. This is my way of giving back. Mum was so brave, and everyone loved her. If she were here, she’d definitely be doing this with me, so I’m doing the next best thing by doing it for her.
Alena plans to wear some of her mum’s clothing or have something specially printed for the day, keeping her as close as possible for this very special challenge.
Alena also wants to raise awareness for her fellow young carers and other who have lost a parent at a young age.
She said: “You lose the life you thought you’d have with them, all the proud moments like graduating university, getting married, having grandchildren and more. We are forced to grow up in ways we didn’t ask to.
“So, it’s important for me to remember my mum in the every day. Say her name, do things like the abseiling that honour her memory. It pushes me to do something that I wouldn’t typically do and raise money for the hospital.”
Alena won’t be tackling the tower alone though. Her partner Jamie, also from Southend, will be joining her, although he doesn’t like heights either!
He’ll be raising funds for Broomfield Hospital’s Billericay ward, where Alena’s grandad, Joseph, was successfully treated for throat cancer.
Alena said:
Their support on the ward meant everything. My grandad’s strength inspired us all - he’s now a fit and healthy 75‑year‑old. The work that the surgeons were able to do, so that he is here now with us, is nothing short of miraculous. And now he is able to be there for us where our mum isn’t.
Charlotte and Joseph will be there on the day, cheering the pair on.
Elise Fleetwood, Events and Corporate Relations Manager for our hospitals' charity, said: “Alena’s courage and determination is beyond inspiring. Fundraisers like Alena and Jamie help us provide those important extra touches that make a real difference to patients, families and staff across our hospitals. We can’t wait to cheer them on.”
The annual Tackle the Tower abseil gives supporters the chance to descend the Southend Hospital tower block while raising funds for any of our hospital wards or departments.
Registration is £50 with a sponsorship target of £100. Places are still available on our hospitals' charity website.
You can support Alena and Jamie on their JustGiving fundraising pages.