UP to 150 thrillseekers of all ages, shapes and sizes are preparing to gather at top of the John Radcliffe Hospital and abseil down the 100ft building.

But as well as experiencing the adrenaline rush off hanging off the building from dizzying heights, participants will be raising cash for Oxford Children’s Hospital.

As the hospital in Headington celebrates a decade of treating and saving the lives of sick children, as well as supporting their families, the charity is hoping to raise £2m this year.

The donations - many of which have come from our readers, and the people of Oxfordshire - will go towards a 62-bedroom Ronald McDonald House for parents to stay close to their poorly children.

The hospital also plans to make improvements to outside play areas, and keep up with the latest medical advances by providing more state-of-the-art medical equipment and utilising the latest developments in biomedical science.

So far more than £800,000 has been raised.

Molly Belcher, a play specialist in the surgical Thomas Waley-Cohen ward, said the children’s hospital treated every child from babies to 18-year-olds.

On a tour of the wards, staff showed the Oxford Mail play rooms, classrooms and other facilities which are all funded through donations.

Ms Belcher added: “We get huge amounts of donations which is amazing. Patients can be here for a long time, a lot of people support the hospital.”

The children’s hospital cares for more than 66,000 children every year.

Through the abseil on Saturday and Sunday, the charity hopes to raise up to £40,000 towards its fundraising target.

Participants are also taking part to raise cash for silver star, a charity which provides special care for mothers with medical complications during pregnancy.

And among those taking on the 100ft drop is 70-year-old Anne Taylor, from Freeland, near Witney.

Mrs Taylor, a former midwife at the John Radcliffe Hospital said she knew first hand how important Silver Star and the children’s hospital was to families.

She added: “I was a Silver Star patient myself many moons ago and I believe without them I would not have my two girls that I have got today.

“I’m 70 now, which is what they are all jumping up and down about, but I’m looking forward to it. I always said I wanted to help some way.”

Mrs Taylor will be cheered on by her daughters Sarah, 38 and Nikki, 36, on Sunday.

Kieran Richardson, 32, from Abingdon, is taking part to thank staff for saving his two-year-old son Dylan’s life after his appendix burst.

Mr Richardson said on his fundraising page: “The children’s hospital at the John Radcliffe was absolutely fantastic.

“We are incredibly lucky to have such great care available locally.”

Bicester mums Rebecca Clarke and Rachel Payne are abseiling on the back of their half marathon through a vineyard in Surrey - with wine stops every two miles - dressed as flamingos.

They will be donning their feathers again this weekend for the big descent..