TWO daring and caring members of staff who work with cancer patients at Yeovil District Hospital will be stepping off the top of the ten-storey hospital building this weekend to support a major fund-raising event for Cancer Research UK.

Kerry Rennie, a clinical trials nurse working in breast and ovarian cancer, and Julie Johannsen, clinical trials administrator based in the Macmillan Cancer Unit at Yeovil Hospital, will take the plunge in the daring Walk The Wall abseil challenge on Saturday and Sunday.

Kerry, from Yeovil, has abseiled once before when she was 16, while Julie, from Tarrant Hinton in Dorset, is a first-timer.

Both are key members of the team involved in pioneering research on a new breast cancer drug called anastrozole.

Yeovil District Hospital, which is renowned for its work with breast cancer patients, was selected as one of only 20 centres nationwide to run the IBIS II trial, which is a prevention study organised by Cancer Research UK.

Ten women are already taking part in the trial at Yeovil, with a number of others undergoing screening to see if they are suitable. To be eligible for the trial, women must be post-menopausal, not taking HRT, and have at least twice the normal risk of breast cancer.

Sue Bulley, clinical trials manager, said: "The exciting thing about this trial is that it is the first major study looking at cancer prevention.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for us to be taking part here in Yeovil, building on the excellent reputation the hospital already has for its research work. There has already been a huge amount of interest in the study, which lasts for ten years."

Sue will be staying safely on the roof of the hospital, cheering on the many participants in this breathtaking annual event.

She said: "I am full of admiration for Kerry and Julie in taking this plunge, which is for such a great cause in highlighting the work of Yeovil Hospital, the exciting IBIS II trial, and also Cancer Research UK."

The Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr Julian Freke, will also don his abseil gear and tackle the abseil on Saturday to support Cancer Research.

"I am really looking forward to my abseil challenge and I challenge the people of Yeovil to join me and support Cancer Research UK in their fight against cancer," he said.

If you fancy joining in the excitement of the Walk the Wall call 01264-351287 or email yeovilabseil@cancer.org.uk for registration forms and further information.

Event organiser Claire Hawkings said: "The aim of this event is to raise funds for our cancer research programmes and awareness of Cancer Research UK and the work we carry out.

"One in three of us will be affected by cancer at some point in our lives. Walk the Wall is giving you the chance to help us to bring hope to those families faced with cancer. Call now to get your place!"