Lakes trio abseil 170 feet down building for health charity

Louise Broughton, 63, who is retired, was joined by her two daughters, Claire Burnham, 34, who lives at Kimbolton near Cambridge and Rosie Broughton, 28, who lives at Bishops Stortford. Both daughters attended Windermere St Anne's and The Lakes School.

The abseil was in aid of Mpn voice.org.uk, which was started ten years ago by Professor Claire Harrison of Guy's hospital, and a handful of patients who had been diagnosed with one of three rare and serious blood cancers collectively known as myeloproliferative neoplasms - polycythemia rubra Vera, Essential Thrombocythemia, and Myelofibrosis.

MPNs affect only one in 100,000 people and can often cause any one or many of 25 severe and life-limiting symptoms.

MPN voice offers support, funding for patient forums all over the UK attended not only by patients but also by leading blood cancer experts from all over the world, specialist nurses and psychological help, research into new drug therapy, and an invaluable 'buddy' system for newly diagnosed patients who need to speak to or meet other diagnosed MPN patient who can offer support and advice purely from experience.

During their daring abseil, Mrs Broughton and her daughters waved windows at patients as they headed down the building.

Mrs Broughton, who was diagnosed with Polycythemia nine years ago, is the North West regional fundraiser for MPNvoice.org.uk and isa buddy to 20 newly diagnosed patients.

"We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to lovely Craig and gorgeous Vickie from Crags Adventures for their invaluable help during training at Hodge Close and Cathedral Quarry in the Langdales," said Mrs Broughton.

"If you would like to contribute to our fund raising, you can do so easily by simply googling "virgin giving Louise Broughton" which will take you straight to the page.

"Any amount will be most gratefully received. To date our abseil has raised just over £7,000 towards this year's target of £250,000."