MEMORIES of her great grandson Reece Price enabled Jenny Willis to triumph over extreme fear and hours of weeping prior to plunging off an 80ft drop.

She was one of more than 70 people who abseiled off cliffs at Ramsgate, inspired by baby Reece, from Cliftonville, and an urge to tackle the disease that killed him.

The Isle of Thanet Extra-backed event at Screaming Alley, West Cliff, on December 9, is expected to have raised more than £7,000.

Seventy per cent will go to the Baby Reece Appeal in aid of The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, following the death from SMA of three-month-old Reece.

The abseil was promoted and supported by Kent and Medway Walking Bus Group, who will receive thirty per cent, and run by a professional team from Odyssey, a cancer charity.

Love of Reece and determination to do something positive in his memory enabled his grandmother Mrs Willis, to steel herself. She was 64 the day before and recovering from a fall which left her in a neck brace for weeks.

She said: "I talked to Reece’s photograph this morning and cried all the way down. At the bottom my legs and whole body was shaking."

Reece’s aunt Donna Henderson, 18, was one of the youngest abseilers. She only decided to go over 10 minutes before and described the experience as "wicked".

Her aunt Rochelle Fitness, visiting from Ireland and unable to participate due to pregnancy, gave her the minimum £75 needed.

Reece’s mum Michelle said she was enormously moved by the number of people who had responded.

She said: "I am really touched big time, I have been absolutely in tears. When Reece was diagnosed I did not think anything good would ever come from it and I am now more determined to keep on raising money in his memory."

Martin Hoare, dad of SMA sufferer Philip, six, from Ramsgate, conquered his fear of heights for an abseil arranged at the last minute.

His wife Susan also took heart from the event. She said: "It is quite amazing, it makes you feel good that people care so much they want to do something."

Retired tree surgeon Bill Hollaway, at 73, probably the oldest abseiler, and his wife Pat, lost two baby boys, born prematurely more than 40 years ago.

His wife said: "We read about Reece and felt deeply for him and his family. We still feel the loss of sons Allen and Michael and I still cry at Christmas for them."

Abseilers included teams from main sponsors Invicta Motors and Your Move. Invicta sales manager Ryan Masoura said he was indebted for sponsor at Bradgate Caravan Park and Social Club.

Identical twins Brian and Paul Wells, aged 36 and both dads, were determined to take part when they read Reece’s story and went down dressed as Batman and Robin.

Brian, a manufacturing engineer with Cummins Power Generation, raised £395, possibly the highest individual amount.

Six staff from Margate’s Nat West bank raised £400 which their bank will double and a team of five from MPL Recycling, Westwood, have raised nearly £600.

First over the cliff was Mark Baker, from Ramsgate, dressed as batman.

Allison Pratt, from The Jennifer Trust, said: "This sort of event is wonderful because it raises awareness in the community, it is such a rare condition and so severe people don’t know about it and it is harder to attract funding into research and treatment."

Simon Dolby, of KMWBG, said: "The backing of Thanet Council and sponsors Invicta Motors and Your Move was excellent. This, combined with the response of the public, will ensure we work with Thanet Extra to stage another event in the future."