WITH less than two weeks left until the Dartmoor Drop abseil for Hospiscare, the local hospice charity is sending a final call out for brave adventurers to sign up to the challenge and raise money for end-of-life care across the heart of Devon.

The charity expanded its Hospiscare@Home service to Crediton, Okehampton and North Dartmoor in spring 2022 and within the first 12 months, 921 visits were made to patients at home in the area.

Local Hospiscare nurses, Sally and Lisa, are teaming up to take on the challenge to help support end-of-life care.

Lisa Herbert explained: “I work in the Hospiscare@Home team in Mid Devon looking after patients in their own homes, allowing them to be surrounded by their loved ones and in a familiar environment in their last weeks or days of life.

"We are taking on the challenge to help raise funds by pushing ourselves to ascend new heights and brave the 110ft descent!”

Sally Reed continued: “My colleague and I both feel proud and privileged to work for Hospiscare@Home and love what we do, but we couldn't do it without support from the public.

"We’re taking on the Dartmoor Drop to raise funds for this vital service so Hospiscare can continue to be there for the community now, and in the future.

Taking place on September 16 and 17 at Meldon Viaduct near Okehampton, the abseil is open to anyone aged 12 or over.

All participants will be briefed, kitted up and taken through the foundations of the historic bridge, before summoning the courage to make the 110ft descent!

To sign up, each person needs to pay a registration fee of £30 and commit to raising a further £150 through sponsorship.

The charity is also running a special offer, allowing groups of four people to enter together for £100, a saving of £5 per person - perfect for friends, families, or colleagues to get together.

With just 18 per cent of the charity’s income funded by the NHS, the charity needs to raise around £8 million a year to continue providing specialist end-of-life care, making fundraising challenges like the Dartmoor Drop vital.

All funds raised from the abseil will help ensure the hospice can continue to provide their services for local people in the last weeks of their lives.

If you want to find out more or sign up to the challenge, visit: www.hospiscare.co.uk/abseil by Thursday, September 14.