Southwell U3A climber from Averham abseils from roof of Queens Medical Centre with friends for Nottingham Hospitals Charity

Three climbing friends have completed a 100ft abseil in aid of a hospital’s oncology department.

Southwell U3A member Heather Wolfenden, of Averham, completed the Big Abseil at Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, alongside fellow climbers Ken Henstock, and Sandra Read.

Under the nickname ‘The Three Wrinklies’, the trio completed the challenge in early September.

Heather said: “We raised over £2,500 for the oncology department, as Ken is receiving treatment there.

“The Nottingham Hospitals Charity fundraises throughout the year, through events like the Big Abseil and skydiving.

“Next year we’ve decided we would like to do the skydive, which is 30,000ft in the air above Langar Airfield. I’ve been told it’s easier jumping out of a plane.”

The trio met while climbing at Nottingham Climbing Centre, as Heather is a member of the Southwell U3A indoor climbing group which meets there on Mondays to climb with both U3A members and other avid climbers.

She joined the town’s U3A eight years ago, initially joining the peak walking group which meets for hikes in Derbyshire, before branching out into climbing too. The group also meets at the YMCA Newark and Sherwood climbing centre.