THE imposing Abberley clock tower hosted some spirited abseiling by determined hospice fund-raisers with a story of loss to tell.

St Richard’s Hospice was running its annual clock tower abseil in the grounds of the boarding school near Kidderminster, which saw 27 abseilers not only battling their nerves but a hefty summer downpour on Sunday, August 12.

Fund-raiser Lizzie Brazier said all those taking part had pledged at least £50 to help pay for the running of the hospice in Wildwood Drive, Worcester.

“We’ve had some determined people come along, from 60-year-olds to 18-year-olds, all being very brave,” she said.

“From where they are abseiling, it is 141ft down to the ground. But they’ve had great support from family and friends.”

Among those descending the Victorian folly was Diane Burkin from Droitwich, who was doing it in memory of her friend Susan Kennedy.

Mrs Burkin said: “She was diagnosed with stomach and liver cancer in January 2011, and died in January this year. St Richard’s provided her with a lot of support.”

Watched by Sue’s husband Chris and brother Rob, Mrs Burkin is off on a four-day sail around the Channel Islands in September to raise more cash for the hospice.

Katie Arrow Smith, of St John’s, Worcester, raised more than £300 in pledges for her descent in memory of her father Michael Lambourne, also of St John’s, who died of pancreatic cancer. She wanted to give back to the hospice for “their amazing care, giving him real quality of life”.

“They were outstanding,” she said.

She recently did a sponsored zumbathon for the hospice, but it her first time abseiling.

It was also the first time for Laura Gilchrist, 18, and brother Tim, 24, of Ronkswood, Worcester, who were completing the challegne in memory of their father Donald Gilchrist.

Laura said: “He was in there two weeks before he died. The hospice made him feel comfortable and like he had support, and just wasn’t alone. They gave us a room as a family so we could stay over as well, so this is to pay something back for their help.”