A portable telescopic lifting apparatus ( 1 ) for lifting aerial cables ( 53 ). The apparatus ( 1 ) comprises a tubular housing ( 2 ), first and second telescopic members ( 3, 4 ) extendible from and retractable into the housing ( 2 ), a drive ( 5, 60 ) for extending and retracting the telescopic members ( 3, 4 ), and a cable-engaging member ( 51 ) attached to the second telescopic member ( 4 ) for lifting one or more aerial cables ( 53 ). The drive ( 5, 60 ) comprises a chain lever block ( 5 ) and a pulley arrangement ( 60 ). In use, the apparatus ( 1 ) is positioned below one or more aerial cables ( 53 ), the chain lever block ( 5 ) is used to raise the first telescopic member ( 3 ), the first telescopic member ( 3 ) extends from within the housing ( 2 ), the second telescopic member ( 4 ) extends from within the first telescopic member ( 3 ), and cable-engaging member ( 51 ) raises the cable/s ( 53 ).