Thanet councillor John Kirby is about to confront one of his nightmares again - for a good cause.

Despite being terrified when he took the Kent Charity Challenge and abseiled down the cliffs at Screaming Alley, Ramsgate, he has volunteered for a repeat performance on Saturday, December 6.

The event is in aid of CLIC Sargent which raises funds for children afflicted by leukaemia and cancer.

Cllr Kirby, who represents Cliffsend and Pegwell Bay, said: “This is something close to my heart as I have had family members ill with cancer over the years, it is very personal."

So far 90 people have signed up, many moved to take part by firsthand experience of the invaluable work and support offered by the charity.

The abseilers will include family members of children affected by the life-threatening diseases including Sky Holness, six, Niamh Shelley, four and Finlay Baker, three.

There will be a team from St Joseph’s School, Broadstairs, and family members of baby Reece Price.

The little lad, from Cliftonville, died when only a few months old from spinal muscular atrophy and was the inspiration for the last Kent Charity Challenge abseil in Ramsgate in 2006.

That event raised more than £7,000 for the SMA charity, The Jennifer Trust,which was supported by the Thanet Extra’s Baby Reece Appeal.

Money raised next Saturday will be split 70/30 between CLIC Sargent and the Kent and Medway Walking Bus Group.