A WOMAN who suffers from vertigo has tackled her phobia to boost Kemp Hospice's appeal after being inspired by friends' praise of its care.

Ann Williams has braved two abseils to raise almost £800 for both the campaign to secure a new home for the hospice and running costs.

The 80-ft drop from the top of Blackstone Rock overlooking the River Severn was the first challenge for the 56-year-old former Brintons employee in May 2001.

And in June this year she descended from the roof of the Marks & Spencer building in Worcester city centre.

Her stoicism has brought her this week's bottle of champagne.

"I don't like heights at all, but it is such a worthwhile cause," said Mrs Williams, of Severn Way, Bewdley.

"I wouldn't do another building - I thought it would be easier but it wasn't - but I'd do Blackstone Rock again for Kemp.

"I wouldn't do it for anyone else!"

She added: "It was quite daunting. When I drive past Blackstone Rock and I look across I can't believe I abseiled down it."

Mrs Williams started supporting the hospice - and specifically the campaign - after several of her friends used it after being diagnosed with cancer.

She now also volunteers to help out in the hospice's appeals office two days a week.

"Unless people have actually been or know someone personally who has I don't think they understand exactly what goes on," she said.

"I've known people who have gained so much from it. People enjoy going to meet different people and they enjoy the experience."

Mrs Williams said the respite care on offer 30 years ago in Kidderminster - when she beat ovarian cancer - was non-existent.

"There was no counselling, no hospice, nothing. You were left to deal with it."

She is a big supporter of the expansion plans - now so much closer to being realised after hospice trustees agreed to buy the Cedars Hotel which will increase the capacity and range of services.

"For Kidderminster and Wyre Forest we've just got the small hospice in Sutton Park Road, which has no facilities for patients who need to be there 24-hours-a-day.

"We've just got to get that new place. It's as simple as that."