FEARLESS adventurers will be climbing down one of Swindon's tallest buildings for charity in April.

Last year, 51 people took part in the annual Macmillan abseil down the 100-foot-tall WH Smith building in Greenbridge, raising £12,000.

And organisers are hoping to better that this year.

The event, run under the watchful eye of troops from the Royal Artillery Display Troop, will be held on April 30.

Graziella Campisano, fund manager for the Swindon Cancer Appeal, said that several people have already signed up to this year's event.

She said: "Last year there were some very scared people taking part but all went over the edge, no-one pulled out.

"People do it for the adrenalin rush or even because they have set themselves a challenge either for a New Year resolution, something to with work colleagues or even just to get over a fear."

Freelance broadcaster Shirley Ludford took part last year and is mulling over whether to have a go again.

She said: "It was a combination of believing in the cause and wanting to do something that made me have a go at the abseil.

"It is not like putting money into an envelope. The abseil raises awareness as well.

"I think you have to be slightly mad as well. I always feared going over the edge of the building, but I was amazed when one of the other participants who went before me slipped and ended up hanging upside down. And she just laughed when her feet touched the ground."

Two more adventurers will be sticking to terra firma.

Intrepid explorers Stuart Hepburn and Mick Berry will begin their 3,800-mile trek across North and West Africa on February 18.

They will do the Plymouth to Dakar Challenge driving in their £70 Volvo car, which the pair purchased in Sweden with 230,000 miles on the clock.

They will be raising money for both the Swindon Cancer Appeal, Prospect Hospice in Wroughton and the Chalet School in Liden.

Mr Hepburn said: "It's the first time either of us have ever done this.

"I think it comes from being a lad and seeing the excitement of rally driving, there is also that bit of Samaritan in us both.

"Macmillan is a charity of particular importance to us, we all know someone touched by cancer in some way."

At the end of the trip the car will be auctioned to raise money for charities in the Gambia.

Today, the total raised for the Swindon Cancer Appeal stands at over £550,000.

The target is to raise £600,000 by 2006 to pay for two Macmillan nurses for the Great Western Hospital and a consultant in Palliative care to work at the hospital and the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.

If you would like to help Stuart and Mick call Stuart on 01793 706749.

To take part in the abseil costs £10 registration and a minimum £100 sponsorship per person.

For more information call the Swindon Cancer Appeal office 01793 601636.

The Rotary Club of Swindon is hosting a charity sporting dinner with speakers including former England cricketer Geoff Miller along with actor and comedian Garfield Morgan.

So far 14 tables have sold for the evening at the Blunsdon House Hotel.

Tables of 10 cost £350 and are available by calling Randy on 01793 529050 or Peter on 01793 740111.

Anthony Osborne