TWO Wellington woman will dress up like Santa next month and jump off a 60-foot cliff - without the help of his reindeer to fly.

Donna Munson and Lois Harrison will be taking part in an annual Cheddar Gorge charity abseil to raise funds for St Margaret’s Hospice.

St Margaret’s had helped care for parents of both Donna and Lois.

Donna said: “We felt if we could do something to help raise money for such a worthy cause, then we should.

“It has been a really long time since we last did an abseil but sometimes you just have to say ‘yes’.”

St Margaret’s marketing and events officer Ellie Weston thanked Donna and Lois for signing-up to take part in the Santa abseil, which also offers the abseilers spectacular views over the gorge.

Ms Weston said: “They have already smashed their fund-raising target and everyone at St Margaret’s is so grateful for their support.

“The money raised from this event goes directly to supporting patients in their community.

“We only have a few places left, so if you would like to join them then head to our website now to book your slot.”

Each abseiler needs to raise at least £125 in sponsorship, which covers the cost of a specialist community nurse visit for one of the hospice’s local patients being cared for at home, and an hour’s support to one of St Margaret’s patients at home by one of its Adviceline nurses.

The hospice is hoping this year’s group of abseilers can raise enough to pay for a weeks’ worth of community visits across Somerset.

The team make about 100 visits a week and are considered a vital part of the care and support offered to patients and their families.

Last year, St Margaret’s Hospice supported more than 5,000 people across Somerset.

A spokesperson for one of the event’s sponsors, Sheppy’s, said: “We thoroughly look forward to seeing lots of people, and some of our staff, enjoying what promises to be a fantastic and fun event, raising money and awareness for this amazing charity.”

Paul Prouse, managing director of Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, which is also an event sponsor, said: “The vital work they do to help patients with life-limiting illnesses, together with their families and carers, is remarkable.”

A spokesperson for a third sponsor, Refresco, said: “For more than 40 years they have been helping patients, families, and carers face life-limiting illness, and we could not be prouder to play a small part in their extraordinary history.”