SOME 240 fearless fundraisers made this year’s Great Big Hospital Abseil the best ever.

Oxford Hospitals Charity has declared the event its best abseil ever after its challengers helped raise over £55,000 in sponsors.

Whilst the figures were racking up the fundraisers where heading down - 100ft down the side of the John Radcliffe hospital.

Taking to the challenge for the fifth time, was the weekend’s oldest fundraiser 86-year-old Michael Hamlet from Kennington.

It was the fifth time in ten years Mr Hamlet has done the hospital abseil and this time for Oxford Heart Centre.

He said: “I like to be able to give something back to the medical areas that have helped me, it’s good to say thank you because they’ve looked after me so well.

“I wasn’t that scared, and I enjoyed it, so hopefully if I’m still here and fit enough I will do it all again next year.”

His 11-year-old great granddaughter Taylor cheered from the sidelines, she said: “My great granddad isn’t like other grandads – he’s really special and really brave.

“I am so proud of him for doing the hospital abseil.”

Also taking the leap of faith was Kathryn Whitby, from Middleton Cheney, who abseiled in memory of her twin daughters Angel and Imogen.

Ms Whitby explained how she lost Angel during her pregnancy at 31 weeks, and Imogen passed away aged two after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

She said when Angel died it left her ‘devastated’ , she added: “Then our beautiful daughter Immy had a brain tumour. She was cared for at the Oxford Children’s Hospital where we were astounded by the care and compassion we encountered at every turn.

“Immy was the bravest person I have ever met. Her courage was incredible.”

Ms Whitby explained how after Immy had seen the abseil advertised, the fundraiser promised her daughter she would take part - despite her fear of heights.

Ms Whitby and her friends raised £5,000 for the Children’s Hospital.

Oxford Hospitals Charity events manager Gail Williams said: “We are still reeling from the weekend – it was fantastic.

“The event smashed last year’s fundraising total – and we are likely to raise over £60,000 when everything comes in – which is brilliant.

“There were so many incredible people taking part and some very emotional moments as people conquered their fears and remembered loved ones.

"It was also wonderful to have so many teams of staff from across our hospitals taking part including nurses, consultants, physiotherapists and lab technicians."

Support the cause at hospitalcharity.co.uk