A RECORD number of people took the plunge and abseiled 100ft to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

More than 150 people aged between 18 and 85 braved the descent down the side of the Women’s Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital yesterday.

Organisers of the event said it could raise as much as £50,000 to provide equipment and facilities for children being treated in the hospital, and across the Oxford Radcliffe Hospital Trust.

Derek Sherwood, 85, of Barton Lane, Oxford, was the oldest person to take part in the daring drop. He said: “I was the first one down. I have done about four of these so I wasn’t nervous. I live next door to the hospital so I thought it’d be nice to do something for them.”

A 15-strong team from the Blackbird pub, in Blackbird Leys, also took the leap in the hope of raising about £1,600.

They set out to raise money for the CHOX appeal to thank staff for the care of friend Ciara Brennan’s daughter Rhianna, who receives treatment at the hospital.

The three-year-old suffers from Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic abnormality, and regularly has to go to the hospital.

Her mother said: “I only called a couple of people to see if they wanted to come along and then suddenly everybody joined in.

“It felt great to have so many people here.”

Pete Gaul, of Sandy Lane, Oxford, watched as partner Toni Heath abseiled. He said: “She was so nervous.”

One participant who almost did not take the plunge was Gemma McNamara, 24, from Berkshire whose sister had secretly signed her up to take part.

Miss McNamara overcame nerves which saw her turn away from the ledge at the last minute before finally deciding to go ahead with the challenge in honour of her 18-month-old nephew, Joseph, who has treatment at the hospital.

Penny Hambridge, children’s development officer in the Community Fundraising team, said it had been one of the best ever turnouts.

She added: “The support from the public is exceptional. We are so grateful to everyone who has taken part.

“I’d like to thank the event sponsors, Bicester Country Club, and also the Oxford Mail for helping us to publicise the abseil. Many of those who took part first read about the event in this paper.

“These events are inspiring, as many of those taking part are relatives of children who have been treated at the hospital.”

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk