Massage therapist and hairdresser Gillian Smissen will certainly have a head for heights next month when she takes part in a charity abseil from the top of the seven-storey Fisher Tower at Christ Church University, Canterbury.

Gillian, who runs her business in Castle Street, is raising funds for the KM Charity Team in association with the Harmony Therapy Trust which provides therapy for those living with cancer and other serious life altering conditions including multiple sclerosis, ME, Parkinsons and motor neurone disease.

She is currently working with patients from the trust providing a number of different massage therapies.

Always keen to give something back to the local community, Gillian has raised funds for a muscular dystrophy charity, hosting many professional hair and beauty events at various venues in Dover including The Best Western Churchill Hotel where she had her Regatta Hair Salon for many years.

The Harmony Therapy Trust has a Just Giving link on its website, and Gillian is also looking for direct sponsorship. Anyone who would like to make a donation can call 01304 800108 or text 07976 372860, visit www.gilliansmissen.com or find her on Facebook.