Staff and supporters of a hospice with a head for heights braved a huge abseiling challenge to raise thousands of pounds.

Some 23 abseilers navigated their way down the Orbit tower at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford in aid of St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood.

Fundraisers climbed down the 262-foot drop, the equivalent of a 34-storey building, making £7,500 to pay towards care at the hospice in the process.

Among those taking part were two members of St Clare staff, chef Samantha Hegarty and inpatient nursing assistant Alison Boggas.

Samantha said: “Abseiling the Orbit was one of the scariest yet most incredible experiences of my life.

“I do not have a fear of heights, but I do have a fear of falling, so completing the highest freefall abseil in the UK was quite an achievement for me.

“I really recommend abseiling the Orbit to anyone who likes a challenge and who has a good head for heights, or wants to overcome their fear.”