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Feeling the fear and doing it anyway helped two Contact Centre employees pluck up the courage to abseil down one of Scotland’s most iconic bridges for charity.

Lisa Boslem and Lesleyanne Murray pulled on their safety harnesses and hard hats and successfully made their way down 165ft of the Forth Road Bridge earlier on this month.

Pushing themselves out of their comfort zone – Lesleyanne is scared of heights and water – helped the duo smash their fundraising target of £300, raising a fantastic £685 for Strathcarron Hospice.

For Lesleyanne taking the plunge gave her a way to honour the memory of a good friend who had been supported by the hospice after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

Lesleyanne said: “My friend was admitted to Strathcarron several times, the last time being the week he passed away. He loved Strathcarron and used to send me photos of himself in bed at the hospice glass of wine in hand! His family received counselling while he was ill and after he passed away. I know it was a great help to them, especially his daughters who were only teenagers at the time. 

“The nurses and volunteers were always very friendly when I used to visit him and would have a joke and a laugh with us. The support they provide means so much to the patients, their family and friends. Raising money is just a small way to say thank you to them for all that they do.”

Every year, the Strathcarron Hospice (based in Denny) provides care and support free of charge to over 1400 people with a life-limiting illness or condition. The independent hospice needs to raise nearly £13k every day to keep the services it provides running.

Lisa said: “The support and care Strathcarron provides is vital to those faced with terminal illness and their families. I’ve always donated to them so when Lesleyanne asked me to do the abseil with her I jumped at the chance. It was a fantastic experience, particularly  because we raised so much more than we’d hoped to, and we’d like to thank everyone for supporting us by donating to such a worthwhile cause.”

To find out about other fundraising events organised by Strathcarron Hospice visit its fundraising page.

SHMain image (left to right): Lisa Boslem and Lesleyanne Murray.

Collage above: Before, during and after the abseil. Pics courtesy of Strathcarron Hospice.