A FABULOUS effort by fund-raisers netted almost £15,000 for charity.

Kent Messenger senior editor, Bob Bounds, handed over the money, proceeds of a sponsored abseil by KM readers, to representatives of the Heart of Kent Hospice and the Kent and Medway Walking Bus at the hospice in Preston Hall, Aylesford, on Wednesday.

More than 90 of our readers took part in the abseil at Fremlin Walk, in Earl Street, Maidstone, in April, which raised £10,100 for the hospice and £4,329 for the walking bus.

Caroline Brinkman, corporate fund-raiser for the hospice, said: "The abseil was a huge success and the money will go a long way to ensure the continuation of the care we provide for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. Everyone put in a fabulous effort."

Mr Bounds added: "The amount raised was wonderful and I am highly delighted with this contribution. The hospice is still in desperate need of donations because of the fantastic work it does day in day out."