A PENSIONER is using his head for heights in a charity abseil which will raise about £50,000 for equipment at Oxford’s new £109m cancer centre.

Michael Hamlet, who lives in Kennington, will take part in his third abseil on Sunday, May 17, despite having had a heart bypass and prostate cancer in the past few years.

The former carpenter, who will be abseiling 100ft from the top of the women’s centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital, is raising money for Oxford Cancer Centre at the Churchill Hospital, which opened in March.

Mr Hamlet, 77, said: “It doesn’t scare me at all — even when I did the first one I wasn’t nervous, probably because my days as a carpenter made me used to heights. I enjoyed the first one so much that I’m now on my third.

“I would encourage everyone to have a go — especially as it’s for such a great cause.”

Joining Mr Hamlet will be Valerie Lester and her daughter Rebecca Taylor, from Banbury.

Ms Taylor recovered from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after a successful bone marrow transplant in 2005.

The 41-year-old mother-of-three said: “I want to stand on top of a mountain and shout out how fantastic the staff all were — and this is the nearest I can get to that.”

Ms Taylor was extremely ill when her cancer was diagnosed but is now enjoying good health. She said: “I am fitter than I have ever been — I run, do ballet, tap dance and now I’m abseiling.

“I feel so lucky to be here enjoying life with my children and it’s great to be able to say this thank-you to staff.”

Ms Taylor and her team have already raised more than £2,000 by logging on to the website justgiving.com/teamtaylorbeatscancer It is hoped this year’s event could raise £50,000 for the newly opened cancer centre, to buy state-of-the-art equipment for patients.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the cancer centre in February and was shown the new facilities including six £1m linear accelerators which scan patients for tumours.

Sarah Vaccari, a spokesman for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust fundraising team, said: “We’re delighted to have so many people taking part in this year’s Cancer Abseil.

“It’s a great way to spend your Sunday, doing something to get your heart racing and raising money for an excellent cause at the same time. Do get in touch if you would like to take part.”

Teams of staff from Oxford Gene Technology and the Hospital Relocation Department have boosted the numbers taking part in the event, but there are still a few spaces left.

It costs £10 to enter, and abseilers are asked to try to raise £100 for the cancer centre.

To join, call Cynthia Charlett on 01865 743444 or visit the website orhcharitablefunds.nhs.uk affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk