The zipline will start at the top of one of the office blocks in Majura’s Brindabella Business Park. Photo: Construction Control.
A one-of-a-kind zipline will be strung up from the top of an office block in the Brindabella Business Park in mid-October and anyone will be able to use it.
But it will come at a cost – $5000 per person.
The exact location is yet to be determined, but the zipline forms the feat for this year’s Big Wig Challenge, an annual fundraising event for the Canberra Hospitals Foundation (CHF).
Not-for-profit CHF was founded in 2011 to provide support to public hospitals and health services throughout Canberra to help provide a caring, world-class health and healing service for patients, their families, and carers.
The CHF is entirely funded by donations, and each year, Canberra’s business leaders, charity heads and other local leaders are encouraged to get on board through the high-flying event.
Last September, the Big Wig Challenge on Can Give Day saw dozens of people abseil down the side of the orange-tiled Building 8 on Hospital Road.
Abseiling down Building 8 at the Canberra Hospital on Can Give Day. Photo: Liv Cameron.
One particularly courageous participant, Omar Muscat (owner of cafes Double Shot Deakin, Urban Pantry, and Little Sutton Bakehouse), jumped headfirst off the building after promising his sponsors he’d do it if donations exceeded $50,000. He alone raised more than $68,000 in the end.
“I’ve got two little boys, and through their younger days you end up in hospital unexpectedly, and what the team does at the hospital in those moments with trauma … made me want to give back, and I found the opportunity by doing what I did last year,” Mr Muscat says.
Another high-flier, Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron, raised more than $40,000. All up, the CHF received more than $280,000 in donations in a day.
Similarly, this year’s event is “about much more than a thrilling, terrifying zipline”, according to CHF chair Susan Proctor.
“It’s a symbol of courage, community, and compassion – a lot of courage. When our leaders, business people, and community champions take that leap, they’re doing it not for the thrill – absolutely not – but for something far greater, to raise vital funds that will change lives.”
Each participant must raise a minimum of $5000 to take part, with every dollar going towards the CHF’s ‘Out of the Blue Fund’.
“This ensures we are ready when health emergencies strike. As we know, they always strike without warning: a sudden diagnosis, a terrifying accident or a baby born in distress. These moments come out of the blue, and when they do, families need to know that they’re not facing them alone.”
Over the next 12 months, CHF is focused on two major projects.
The first initiative aims to “reimagine how meals are delivered in the hospital,” enabling patients and their visitors to order their food via a smartphone app.
Canberra Hospitals Foundation CEO Helen Falla. Photo: CHF.
The next hope is to fund trials of “world-class, state-of-the-art surgical robotic precision tools that save lives and shorten recovery times.”
“This is the future of healthcare, and it’s happening right here in Canberra because of you,” Ms Proctor said.
CHF CEO Helen Falla is overcoming her fear of heights to take part for the first time this year, having broken her wrist before last year’s event.
“It was kind of an excuse not to do it and got me out,” Ms Falla says.
“I come up with the big ideas, but now it’s time to get behind the ideas and participate.”
Donate to an existing participant, or become one yourself, by visiting Canberra Hospitals Foundation.
