FEARLESS fund-raisers took to new heights as they scaled the face of Abberley’s clock tower for a charity close to their hearts.

Thirteen people abseiled down the front of the 283- metre high tower near Worcester, to raise money for St Richard’s Hospice.

The first to take on the challenge was 81-year-old Bob Hunt, from Droitwich.

The pensioner, who was waiting for news on the birth of his great-grandchild, said he was raising money in memory of his wife, who was cared for by the hospice.

“I have never done anything like this before,” he said. “I wanted to do this because St Richard’s Hospice looked after my wife and we had a wonderful last few weeks because of them. It was a lovely time and very special.

“We raise money as a family. My grandson has done a sky dive for the hospice.

”I have enjoyed today, I was scared when I got to the top and looked how high it was but when I was facing the wall it was all right.”

Wendy Coleman, aged 60, of Astley Burf, near Stourport, decided to do the abseil after her friend Peter Duncan Gilbert was taken into the hospice. She said: “Today has been emotional, but I am really happy I have done it.”

Sarah Patrick, who organised the event in aid of St Richard’s Hospice, said the annual event had raised about £3,000 for the charity.