AN OCTOGENARIAN threw herself off the top of a church in a fundraising mission and to celebrate her milestone birthday.

Irene Hicks, who recently turned 80, decided to abseil down St Peter’s Church in Lamerton. As a verger at the church, Irene put herself forward to do the challenge to raise money for church funds.

With some practising at the climbing wall in Milton Abbot, she completed the task and managed to raise over £1,000 which will be used to carry out internal work behind the altar.

Annie Jefferies, link church governor, said: ‘Irene has been involved with the church for 20 years or so. We were discussing fundraising ideas and she suggested the abseil. We thought it was great idea and she said she’d do it for her birthday. She was very brave and she did brilliantly. Because it was a birthday celebration we had a barbecue and cream tea afterwards with more than 100 people — altogether it was a great community event.’