Carers are those people who care for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled, or has mental health or addiction problems. Carers can be of any age group, even the very young. The lockdowns have been really difficult, with many Young Carers spending more time caring than ever before, putting others needs before their own.

That is why on Saturday 18th of September a band of intrepid volunteers (of varying ages) will be climbing the 80 ancient steps up the church tower of St Mary Magdalen's church in the heart of Oxford to raise awareness and funds for Oxfordshire Crossroads' Young Carers and their families. Holding their nerve (or not), they will bravely proceed to scramble over the parapet (hearts in mouths). The journey down will take but moments as they abseil to terra firma - Bear Grylls eat your heart out. Perhaps their immediate wish will be to have another go?...or perhaps not.

This campaign is to raise awareness and funds to support Oxfordshire Crossroads' Young Carers and their families, to give them varied support as and when they need it, to support them while they care for others. This Carers Trust clip from Young Carers Awareness Day in 2018 really explains what life can be like for a Young Carer:

The church is responsible for setting this event up in the memory of one of their inspirational parishioners, Muriel Hunt, and we are grateful to take part. All they asked is that we included the following text and this link to their campaign page so you can support them as well: St Mary Magdalen Donation Page

The tower at St Mary Magdalen church in the centre of Oxford is the venue for this endeavour. This historic, beautiful church was founded in 1074 and although the original timber building was destroyed by the Vikings, the church was rebuilt in stone and stands to this day next to Martyr's memorial at the end of St. Giles. The church has undergone much needed restoration in recent years and the interior is well worth a visit. However the cost of running this church is around £400 per day which includes the charities the church also supports.

The church has a thriving congregation, however they sadly lost one of their most loyal and amazing members in June this year. This abseil has been organized in memory of this wonderful woman who I think also embodies many of our school characteristics listed above.

The lovely Muriel Hunt was inspirational. Several days a week, she was a volunteer both at her local Oxfam shop and the League of Friends West Wing café in Oxfords John Radcliffe hospital. She held bring-and-buy teas raising money for war-damaged Syrian children. She had learned signing and was active on behalf of the Oxford Diocesan Council for the Deaf. Helping her many friends one way or another was for Muriel a daily event. Around her Christmas table you would find anyone she knew that would otherwise be on their own. On Open Day in Oxford she would walk around at least ten churches raising funds for the Oxford Historic Churches Trust and her own church St, Mary Magdalen, for whom she made sandwiches for the homeless and did the ironing. And all this when she was 95. Then she was hit by a car; but on recovery from injury, she picked up where she left off.

No wonder she was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2017.

She would have believed that great Young Carers can become great old ones - like herself. So please celebrate her wonderful life by donating to her church and supporting Young Carers who show great courage in looking after those in need as do these abseilers jumping off the church tower..