A MOTHER and son who completed a 100ft abseil to raise money for the Oxford Cancer Centre have presented the charity with a cheque for £3,403.58.

Shirley Belcher, from Benson, decided to take part in the challenge with her son, Rupert, as her husband, Ben, is being treated by the centre. Farmer Mr Belcher, 56, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow, more than two years ago.

He was joined by family and friends to watch the abseil in June.

Afterwards, Mrs Belcher, 54, said she was proud to have completed the challenge despite a momentary lapse of confidence as she was going over the top of the building.

She said: “I didn’t think I could do it but I thought I can’t chicken out so I pulled myself together. It was trying to remember all the instructions while also looking down which scared me, but the view was absolutely fantastic.” She thanked Sarah Vaccari, communications and stewardship manager for Oxford University Hospitals, saying: “When I had finished my legs buckled and she gave me the biggest hug, which meant so much.”


She received a letter of support from Henley MP John Howell.

Published 07/01/13