A brave grandma from Dover took the plunge down a 100ft wall for a Kent-based charity.

It was a crystal clear day as salon-owner and therapist Gillian Smissen, 47, looked down the high-rise tower from which she abseiled.

“I must admit I said a prayer;‘Get me down safely!’” said Gillian, was raising money for The Harmony Therapy Trust, which provides complementary therapies to those living with cancer and other life-changing illnesses in Kent. “I don’t have a head for heights, and when I had to stand on the edge and lean back all my instincts were against it.”

The gutsy effort was worth it in the end though, as Gillian - who owns a salon named after her in Castle Street, Dover - has raised £700 via the KM Charity Team-organised event, and is still counting. Gillian is the appointed therapist for Harmony in the Dover area, specialising in Swedish massage and Indian head massage. ”As grandma, I feel that taking on an abseil was a good effort, but I do believe it is important to give back to the cancer sufferers and other people who The Harmony Therapy Trust represents,” added Gillian.

Gillian was among a total of 28 abseilers representing 13 different charities, who raised a whopping £3,347.55 through the event at Fisher Tower, a high-rise landmark in Canterbury. It was sponsored by Canterbury Christ Church University and Champion Scaffolding.

To find out how you can get involved in raising money for your favourite good cause via the KM Charity Team’s exciting programme of events, visit www.kmcharitychallenge.co.uk