FUNDRAISERS braved dizzy heights to abseil 100ft down the John Radcliffe Hospital this weekend.

Fuelled by adrenaline as they were told to lean back over the edge of the Women's Centre at the Headington hospital, about 150 people lowered themselves down to cheers and applause from friends and family.

But behind every spiderman or normally dressed participant had their own reason to raise cash for Oxford Children's Hospital on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the abseilers was Keiran Richardson, of Bailie Close, Abingdon, who wanted to brave the 100ft drop to thank staff who saved his son Dylan's life.

The two-year-old spent 13 days in the children's hospital after his appendix burst and had to undergo two operations.

Mr Richardson, 32, was cheered on by Dylan, partner Natalie Shorter, 33, and seven-month-old Conor.

The father-of-two, who has raised about £600 so far, said if he said he wasn't scared and 'took it like a champ' he would have been lying.

Dylan's mum Ms Shorter previously said her partner was persuaded to take part after the hospital said they were using a picture of their son to advertise the abseil.

Mr Richardson added: "I had a bit of a wobble at the top and my friend was nearly at the bottom which I'm sure I won't stop hearing about.

"But it was really good fun. I have never done anything like this before.

"It was a relief when I got to the bottom, it was so exhilarating. I would definitely do it again."

As the hospital in Headington celebrates a decade of treating and saving the lives of sick children, as well as supporting their families, the charity is hoping to raise £2m this year.

The donations - many of which have come from our readers, and the people of Oxfordshire - will go towards a 62-bedroom Ronald McDonald House for parents to stay close to their poorly children.

The hospital also plans to make improvements to outside play areas, and keep up with the latest medical advances by providing more state-of-the-art medical equipment and utilising the latest developments in biomedical science.

So far more than £800,000 has been raised and it is hoped up to £40,000 will have been raised through the abseil.

Participants also took part to raise cash for silver star, a charity which provides special care for mothers with medical complications during pregnancy.

And among the thrillseekers was 70-year-old Anne Taylor, from Freeland, near Witney. Mrs Taylor, a former midwife at the John Radcliffe Hospital, said she was a Silver Star patient 'many moons ago' and believed without the charity, she would not have her two daughters, Sarah, 38, and Nikki, 36, today.

Some participants dressed up as spider men and women to take on the drop, but

Members of Team RBR also returned to raise funds for the charity following their half marathon through a vineyard in Surrey - with wine stops every two miles - dressed as flamingos.

The charity thanked everyone who took part over the weekend.

They said: "What an amazing bunch of people."