Camden charity abseil raises £43,000 for Hopscotch

By Nathalie Raffray | Ham & High | 14th May 2023

Camden’s mayor helped raise £43,000 for a domestic violence charity when he followed a skydive with an abseil down an 18-storey building.

Cllr Nasim Ali was among more than 80 people taking part in the challenge in Regent’s Place, Euston Road, on May 4, to raise vital funds for Hopscotch Women’s Centre as it marks its 25th anniversary.

Joining the mayor were Hopscotch charity chief Benaifer Bhandari, as well as David Walker, chief operating officer of British Land, which owns sponsor Regent’s Place.

Cllr Ali, who abseiled down Centrepoint 20 years ago when he was last mayor, had already completed a sky-dive for Hopscotch on April 20.

He said: “The sky-dive was scarier because I hadn’t done it before and you know the risk if the parachute doesn’t open.

“When I came out the plane I almost couldn’t breathe and I thought ‘what, is this it?’ You get used to breathing through your nose because the air pressure is so strong in your mouth, but the view was fantastic.

“The abseil was more exciting but it went so quick.”

David Walker, the chief operation officer of British Land, Camden Mayor Cllr Nash Ali and Hopscotch charity chief Benaifer Bhandari abseiled to raise vital funds to support abused women (Image: Camden Council)

He thanked British Land and all the “brave” abseilers who raised money for Hopscotch.

The charity, which is based in Hampstead Road, offers support services for women impacted by racial and gender inequality, domestic abuse and isolation.

Benaifer Bhandari, chief exec of Hopscotch said the charity takes ‘extreme pride’ in helping vulnerable women (Image: Camden Council)

Ms Bhandari said it was a “wonderful opportunity” to highlight the work done to support women “who are often not seen in society, facing daily injustices because of systemic racial and gender inequities”.

“We take extreme pride in being there for women and girls facing abuse, poverty, unemployment and mental health issues and in having individuals, organisations, trusts, corporations and councils who love and support our work,” she added.

“We rely on donations, like those raised at this event, to be able to keep turning up, day after day, to help women and girls feel like they are not alone.

“So, thank you – every penny raised goes towards raising the human rights of those who otherwise are invisible.”