For the second year in a row, people are going Over the Edge with friends, Friends of Children’s Hospital that is! Edgers, those that are going over the edge, will rappel down the 14 story Trustmark Corporate Office building tomorrow Saturday, April 22nd beginning at 8:00 a.m.

To be able to go Over the Edge, Edgers had to raise at least $1000. They were also encouraged to raise even more! Edgers that raise $1,500 or more receive 2 passes to the “Drop Party” at the Governor’s Mansion Friday night, April 21st. Those that raise $2,000 or more are eligible to use a GoPro during their rappel. As part of the Drop Party Friday night, 10 VIP Edgers will be rappelling down the building. To date, 60 Edgers are scheduled to rappel down the building throughout the day tomorrow.

Board member, David Spurk came across the idea to go Over the Edge. “He saw this event in another town and thought it would be a new, exciting event for Friends to put on and the rest is history,” says Elisha Bailey, Director of Giving and Community Partnerships for Friends of Children’s Hospital. “So far $157,095 has been raised and that amount continues to grow!” Last year, the event raised over $173,000, surpassing their original goal of $100,000. Money raised will go directly to Friends of Children’s Hospital, the organization that raises funds for Children’s of Mississippi. “With the recent announcement of a Capital Campaign to renovate and expand Batson Children’s Hospital, Friends will be focusing our support on this transformative project to improve pediatric health care in Mississippi. Funds raised from Over the Edge will help make the dream of a new hospital for children come true,” says Bailey.

Of course the main event will be the rappelling down the building, but there will be other fun activities for those that come to watch. There will be a Kids’ Zone with face painting, photo snapshots, balloons, games, and an opportunity to design a card or crown for a patient at Batson. There will also be food trucks offering delicious food to enjoy while watching the Edgers rappel.

As Edgers prepare to go Over the Edge, they will be welcomed by signs made by patients at the hospital congratulating them and thanking them for their participation. Let's support Friends of Children's Hospital and all they do to support Mississippi's only hospital for children. For more information about Over the Edge with Friends, please click here. To learn more about Friends of Children’s Hospital, please click here.

{Blog posted by Jill Dale}