Brave hospice supporters leapt from the top of a church tower for a charity abseil event.

More than a dozen people abseiled 100ft down St Albans Church wall in North Harrow, raising more than £2,000 for St Luke’s Hospice.

Chief executive of the charity Robin Webb, who took part in the challenge, said: "As the new chief executive it feels like you should say yes when people ask you to do things, so when asked if I wanted to take part in the abseil the answer was, of course, yes.

“Signing up to abseil was the easy bit – the hard bit was arriving on the day to find the church tower was a lot taller than expected.

"And having climbed hundreds of stairs through the church organ loft and bells above we emerged on the roof of the tower with fantastic views of the surrounding area – but when we looked down it became very real how high up we were,

“For a moment I contemplated changing my mind but with people watching and friends having pledged support I stepped out in faith.

"Once over the top there was no going back and fear turned to exhilaration as my confidence grew.

“As I reached the bottom there was a real sense of achievement and relief.”

Also taking part in the was Harrow West parliamentary candidate Hannah David.

She said: “I decided to take part in the event because having recently lost my father from cancer, I know how important places such as the hospice are for those who are ill and for their families.

“Many people need support like that given by St Luke’s. I hope to do many events for the hospice in the future.”