President Graham Climbs The O2

Climb the O2 Challenge

President Graham literally rose to the challenge from District Governor Brenda to climb the O2 Dome in aid of End Polio. Along with 47 other Rotarians from District 1120 the challenge started with a sign away your life form followed by a safety video and demonstration of how to put the safety harness and weather clothing on. Nothing to be taken up in pockets other than phone zipped into the supplied jacket – for insurance purposes! The Climb Leader Ross then tightened each harness so you shrunk an inch squealed a bit and had pockets checked. Hobbling out they were all ready to go. With a £500 harness clamped to a half inch steel wire and one hand sliding it up the other hand gripping a 1 inch thick cable steadying you and of course another safety behaviour reminder then step by step all climbed the 30-degree gradient on a bouncy rubber black ribbon suspended some 20 feet above the O2 Dome canvas. Sadly, Graham decided to try and sneak a picture on the way up but got spotted by Hawkeye leader Ross and had his phone removed - eventually they reached the top and middle where pictures were allowed. Phone recovered President Graham needed a picture eating a fruit corner yogurt on top in order to collect some £150 sponsorship (see pic). Hawkeye using the eyes in the back of his head wasn’t to be beaten and uttering a few expletives reminiscent of Victor Meldrew strode across and confiscated the open yogurt and spoon into his rucksack.

It was time for the descent which was harder than the ascent – you could see where you might fall! 

On a more serious note of course President Graham completing this raised over £500 for end Polio only to be trebled to £1500 courtesy of the Bill Gates Foundation.

He has told us he enjoyed his day?