AN air hostess-turned-funeral arranger for the Co-op conquered her fears to raise over £550 for charity by abseiling down a 170-metre visitor attraction.

Debbie Attridge, of Wallingford Funeralcare, was nervous about abseiling but that didn’t stop her from making her way down Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth on a rope in aid of the Dreamflight charity.

Ms Attridge, a former cabin crew member, raised more than £13,000 for the cause via a variety of fundraising activities during her 10 years as an air hostess.

Dreamflight is a registered charity that funds taking children with a serious illness or disability on the holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida.

She raised another £562.55 for the charity though sponsorship for her abseil.

The funeral arranger said: "I was terrified all the way down, but 15 minutes of fear is so insignificant compared to the challenges these brave children face every day of their lives.

"They are the most humbling and inspiring people I have ever met, and I’m thrilled I was able to contribute to giving them an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives."

Lisa Bishop, fundraising manager for Dreamflight, added: "I would like to say a huge thank you to Debbie and all the other abseilers for bravely taking on the challenge and to everyone who supported their fundraising efforts.

"The abseil has raised vital funds for Dreamflight and will ensure that we can send even more deserving children for their holiday of a lifetime this October."

Co-op Funeralcare is a leading funeral director and part of the Co-op Group, the UK’s largest co-op business.

Once a year, 192 children from all over the UK, accompanied by a team of medical carers, board a chartered Boeing 747 and head to Florida with the charity for 10 days of fun and excitement.

Many children could not undertake such a trip without the support of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and non-medical volunteers who care for the children 24 hours a day.

For further information visit dreamflight.org