MORE than £4,000 was raised for two charities last weekend as 76 brave volunteers took part in an abseil down Peel Tower.

The team of fundraisers completed the 128ft challenge on Saturday to support Annabelle’s Challenge, raising awareness of six-year-old Annabelle Griffin's battle with life-threatening condition Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS), and the Murray Muir Institute.

The event, which was held for the second year in succession, was organised by Holcombe Brook Primary School teacher Casey Lynchey and the Burrs Activity Centre, alongside Annabelle's parents Jared and Sarah.

Mr Griffin said: "It has been another amazing abseil at Peel Tower and the number taking part has increased since last year’s abseil. I would also like to thank everyone who volunteered to bake cakes for the event. The support of our local community, friends and family is brilliant.

"Casey worked tirelessly on this event, which was a huge success. She recently completed the Scottish half-marathon raising funds for the Murray Muir Institute, which we are delighted to support with a donation from the proceeds of the abseil."

The Institute was set up to allow stab-victim Murray to have a stem cell surgery not available in the UK.