7/7 survivor abseils to support Guy's and St Thomas'

A survivor of the 7 July 2005 London bombings has abseiled 100 feet to promote her message of peace and to fundraise for St Thomas’ Hospital, where she received life-saving treatment after the events of 7/7. 

Gill Hicks, who had both her legs amputated after being severely injured on 7/7, abseiled down the Golden Jubilee Wing at King’s College Hospital. She was fundraising for Guy’s and St Thomas’ as an expression of gratitude for the care and support she was given by staff.

Gill says: “St Thomas’ Hospital is where my life was saved by the truly brilliant teams of dedicated professionals. I owe them everything – including teaching me to walk on prosthetic legs. This is to commemorate ten years since I was brought in.”

Gill had been travelling on the Piccadilly line between King’s Cross and Russell Square when she was caught in a bomb blast on 7/7. She spent months being cared for in St Thomas’ Hospital and was helped to learn how to walk again through using prosthetic legs.

Following her recovery, Gill established the charity MAD (Making a Difference) for Peace and works through public engagement and education to encourage greater understanding and willingness to resolve conflict and division.

Having moved back to her native Australia in 2013, Gill has been undertaking ten challenges to mark ten years since 7/7. She has returned to London to complete her sponsored abseiling challenge and to participate in events marking the anniversary.