Avnish Goyal CBE, chair of Hallmark Luxury Care Homes and founder of two charities, the Goyal Foundation and the Hallmark Foundation, was one of twenty brave Outward Bound supporters who abseiled down the Empire State Building in New York on Monday 6 May. They were joined by a celebrity participant, Jared Leto, and supported by Outward Bound Trustee, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice.
The event – the first of its kind – is raising funds for Outward Bound in the UK and other Outward Bound partners around the world. Donations so far exceed £2.4 million and fundraising continues as people recognise the incredible feat.
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Avnish Goyal is raising funds for Outward Bound which the Goyal Foundation has long supported and for the charity’s new partnership with the Foundation’s Inner Spark programme which will bring free outdoor experiences to young people on school sites from this autumn.
The Big Rappel abseil spanned nearly 900 feet from the building’s iconic spire down to the 30th floor.
“Bringing young people out of their comfort zones and supporting them to achieve something they never thought possible is what Outward Bound is all about. I am so happy to offer my support as a Trustee and I am a great admirer of Outward Bound and all they stand for – these participants really are an inspiration,” said Princess Beatrice.
Outward Bound is a worldwide educational and charitable network whose mission is to change young people’s lives through challenge, learning, and adventure.
Martin Davidson, Outward Bound CEO, said: “It is awesome to put on this event at the Empire State Building. Outward Bound has been supporting young people to push through and challenge themselves for the last 85 years, and the participants of the Big Rappel show that appetite for adventure in abundance! In the UK, Outward Bound inspires thousands of young people every year to achieve something they never thought possible by taking them from inner-city environments into our national parks where they experience the extraordinary and learn what they are truly capable of.”
Avnish Goyal said: “I did it! One of only a handful of people to ever abseil down one of the world’s most famous buildings the Empire State Building. I started at the 103rd floor leaning backwards to start the abseil at over 1300 feet. What an exhilarating experience expanding my comfort zone to make a difference to so many young people through our workshops with the Outward Bound Trust and Inner Spark. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on the journey with kind words and donations. There is still time to donate.”
