DAREDEVILS abseiled from the top of the John Radcliffe Hospital’s Women’s Centre in Oxford yesterday.

Fundraisers, including Olivia Gordon, pictured, inched down the side of the 100ft tall centre to raise money for equipment for a new £109m cancer centre at the Churchill Hospital in Headington.

Retired carpenter Michael Hamlet, 77, was the oldest person to take part.

It was Mr Hamlet’s third charity abseil – despite him having had a heart bypass and prostate cancer in the past few years.

Mr Hamlet, of Grundy Crescent, Kennington, said: “I have raised about £500 for the cancer centre and I have always been very pleased with the care I have received.”

Geoff Evans, 52, and Paul Franklin, 45, dressed as a convict and policewoman respectively, raising £800. Mr Evans, of Faringdon, said: “I was absolutely terrified, but after a bit I was fine. It’s having belief in that bit of rope.”

Matt Barnes, 21, of Witney, who has abseiled before, said: “It was the first time I had done it in the wind, which was a bit of an experience. But it was really good.”

Graham Brogden, head of community fundraising at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, said: “We’re delighted to have so many people taking part this year.

“It’s a great way to spend your Sunday, doing something that’s fun, gets your heart racing and raises money for an excellent cause at the same time.”

Picture: Mark Hemsworth