FIFTY abseilers jumped off a city centre church to remember a popular member of its congregation and raise money for various charities.
Muriel Hunt died in June aged 99 after a remarkable life which saw her work as a nurse and later tirelessly volunteer for a range of organisations.
In her memory, members of St Mary Magdalen Church jumped off the roof of the Magdalen Street place of worship.
In doing so, more than £10,000 was raised for an assortment of good causes.
Nigel Speight, a retired churchwarden at St Mary Magdalen’s, organised Muriel’s Day.
He said: “We’re delighted with how it went – it was only when we got the Covid clearance that we went ahead, and we attracted 50 abseilers rather than our target of 40.
“Her story obviously inspired a lot of people and she was truly beloved by everyone in the congregation.
“She was fabulous and witty, so gentle and unassuming, and was embarrassed by any sort of praise – she just got on with doing good work so it was very nice for us to find a way of celebrating her life.
“It was a privilege knowing Muriel for the last 20 years of her life.
“In the way she lived, she proved that doing good did not mean you were being dull.”
Mrs Hunt was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2017, following a career in nursing which saw her work at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital in 1959.
When she retired, she continued to help the community by volunteering at her local Oxfam shop in Cowley Road and at the League of Friends West Wing cafe at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Among the groups which took part in the abseiling event was Crossroads Care, a provider of home care services in Oxfordshire.
Lizzy Clarkson, from the charity, stepped in at the last minute when her husband was no longer able to take part in the abseil.
Despite the late surprise, Mrs Clarkson said: “It went really well – everyone got down safely and there was a bit of a crowd watching us.
“I was terrified but stepped in at the last minute as my husband wasn’t able to do it.
“We provide a lot of care work in people’s homes but obviously during the lockdown we’ve been doing a lot more awareness and fundraising.
“We want to help carers and young carers, by giving them a break by sending someone else in.”
So far, more than 30 people have already signed up to take part in Muriel’s Day on June 18 next year.
To donate, please visit: justgiving.com/campaign/abseilformuriel
Alternatively, to donate to Crossroads, please visit: justgiving.com/campaign/Young-Carers
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