MUM Sam Schad is taking a 100ft plunge from the top of Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital to raise money for sick children.

Dr Schad, 41, from Summertown, Oxford, has two big reasons for taking part in the abseil for Oxford Children’s Hospital next month.

Her two-year-old son Fergus and four-year-old daughter Beth have both been treated at the hospital and she wants to thank staff.

Dr Schad, of Thorncliffe Road, said: “Beth has lumps on her legs called vascular malformations, which for many years were a mystery.

“She had surgery when she was nearly two to remove one of the lumps for analysis and the care she received was excellent.

“My son Fergus uses the eczema clinic and has also had to come to accident and emergency a couple of times.

“Both the children really like coming to the hospital and I have been impressed by the efforts made to keep them happy and free of anxiety.

“It’s friendly and welcoming and is built around the needs of children, which as a parent is what you want.”

Dr Schad, who works for Oxford University Press, last abseiled more than 20 years ago, and is looking forward to testing her nerve.

She said: “I know fundraising makes a huge difference to the Children’s Hospital and events like this really help.` “My target is to raise £500.

“I first did an abseil when I was about 10 in the girl guides and I lent over and slipped and was left dangling on the rope.

“Once the rope caught me I realised abseiling was perfectly safe.”

Last year, 150 people abseiled for the Children’s Hospital, and it is hoped a similar number will join in this year, raising up to £50,000 to buy equipment.

Penny Hambridge, the hospital’s children’s development officer, said: “This is a really important event in our fundraising calendar and we do hope lots of people will take up the challenge.”

The Children’s Hospital treats more than 65,000 patients from across the country each year.

The abseil takes place on Sunday, September 20 and costs £10 to take part. Participants are asked to try and raise at least £100 in sponsorship and must be aged over 18.

To find out how to take part, see the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals charities website.