Funny photo of Daffne, Andy, Paula and Andrew, making scared faces and praying pose.

When more than 130 people gather at Derriford Hospital this weekend to abseil down its walls for Plymouth Hospitals Charity, one group will feel right at home on the site – the team from Willmott Dixon.

As one of the main contractors working on Derriford’s new buildings, Willmott Dixon is already leaving a lasting legacy here. The company has a proud social value ethos and even helped our charity bring the new Charity Hub to life, which opened in June. Now, four of their colleagues are taking their commitment one step further, quite literally, by strapping into harnesses and heading over the edge.

For Daffne Aguilar, the company’s Social Value Manager, the abseil is all about giving back to the community she serves every day. “Social value is a way of living for me,” she says, and for her, taking part is a chance to help Derriford continue enhancing the care it provides for patients and families.

Andy Dicks, Preconstruction Project Manager, has spent the past two years working on the new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre. Derriford is his local hospital, so this project and this challenge means a lot to him. He’s enjoyed working alongside the hospital team and is secretly looking forward to seeing the site from a bird’s-eye view as he makes his descent.

For Paula Hook, Proposals Manager, the abseil is a leap into the unknown. Originally from Germany, Paula has called Plymouth home since 2018, and Derriford will always be special to her as it’s where her eldest daughter was born. She’s never abseiled before, but she loves a challenge and says there’s no better reason to step outside her comfort zone than to support such a fantastic cause with her Willmott Dixon teammates.

And then there’s Andrew Deeprose, Design Manager, who knows the new hospital project inside out. That strong connection with Derriford is part of what’s driving him to take part but so too is the chance to conquer a personal fear of heights. For Andrew, the abseil is not just about raising funds, but about facing fears and giving back to the community he’s proud to support, both through work and in his wider voluntary efforts.

Together, the Willmott Dixon team bring a mix of passion, nerves, excitement and determination to this year’s abseil. We can’t wait to see them take on the challenge – and we’re so grateful to them for going to such heights to support Plymouth Hospitals Charity.