SISTERS who lost their mother to cancer two years ago will be abseiling in her memory to raise funds for charity.

SISTERS who lost their mother to cancer two years ago will be abseiling in her memory to raise funds for charity.

Charlotte and Emily Todd, aged 22 and 20 respectively and who live in Stowmarket, will be part of a daredevil team dressed up as bumblebees who will step off the edge of Ipswich Hospital's maternity unit next week.

They will be abseiling down the 150ft wall in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

For the sisters the event will have added poignancy because they lost their mother, Lucy Todd, to breast cancer two years ago.

They decided to step up to the challenge because they had benefited from the Macmillan nursing and counselling service.

Charlotte said: "The Macmillan nurses were always available to come and support us; they gave us advice and counselling when needed. Macmillan Nurses are extremely valuable people and help cancer patients and their families and they should be recognised for what they do"

"We love bumblebees as they are free spirits. We decided to dress up and make this a fun event because we've been told by previous participants how much of a 'buzz' the Suffolk abseil is and we think it's a brilliant way to raise awareness as well as money for the charity"

"This great challenge to undertake and we would encourage anyone thinking about abseiling to register and take part"

They will be joined in their black and yellow striped costumes by Lena Johnson, Helen Taylor, Steph Carter, Nick Ridley and Harvey Johnson.

Mark Fox, Macmillan's community fundraiser for Suffolk, said: “It promises to be great day and we are encouraging everyone to take part as this is a once in a lifetime experience. All participants will feel a real sense of achievement once they have conquered their fears and taken the plunge. We feel this is a challenge that many people really want to do.”

Each year 3,500 people in Suffolk are told they have cancer.

The Suffolk abseil aims to raise upwards of £5,000 to help fund a whole range of cancer services in the county that make a huge difference to the lives of local cancer patients.