TWO elderly cancer survivors were among dozens of brave people to abseil 100ft and raise cash for Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

Brian and Audrey Berryman, from Botley, beat cancer with the help of treatment at the JR and made more than £1,000 in Sunday’s abseil.

Mrs Berryman, 88, who conquered her fear of heights to complete the challenge, said: “I feel great. I am glad we have done it.

“We have both had treatment and this is a way of saying thank you.”

Mr Berryman, 87, was first treated for bowel cancer 33 years ago, then three years ago for kidney cancer. His wife was diagnosed with bowel cancer five years ago.

The former RAF pilot said: “We are both quite pleased with ourselves that we managed to do it.”

More than 60 people abseiled down the Headington hospital’s Women’s Centre and raised more than £15,000 for the Oxford Heart Centre and the Oxford Cancer Centre.

Irene Davidson, 69, abseiled with a locket containing a picture of her late husband Ray on their wedding day.

Mrs Davidson, from Stanford in the Vale, said: “Nine years before he died, he had a heart attack and without the heart unit here, we would not have had that extra nine years.”

She abseiled alongside her son Steven, 44, and her daughter-in-law Vicky, 45, wife of Steven’s brother.

Since Mr Davidson died a year ago they have raised more than £4,000 for the hospital.

Mrs Davidson added: “We are doing all this to help and keep his memory alive. It gives us something to focus on. I really felt he was here, by my side, with me every step.”

Deborah Clements, 51, from Ardington, was treated at the hospital after she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 10 years ago.

She was given the all- clear last year, and said: “They have given me a second chance at life. It is a celebration today and a chance to give back something.”

Over the past seven years, about 1,600 people have abseiled and raised about £500,000 for the latest equipment and important research.

Oxford Racliffe Hospitals NHS Trust head of community fundraising Graham Brodgen said: “ I never cease to be amazed by the courage shown by those taking part.”