THE 125FT DROP from the top of Dundee University’s Tower Building looked a lot higher to 130 charity abseilers on Saturday, as they gingerly slid down the front of the building to raise money for Maggie’s Centre.

Participants raised more than £22,000 including gift aid for the cancer care charity, which is based in the grounds of Ninewells Hospital.

They were glad of the still, sunny weather as they contemplated the 11-storey drop, and the fine day also drew groups of passing spectators from the Perth Road.

The youngest participant was aged 18, but Marjorie Weir (70), from Northumberland, put her juniors to shame after she took part in the abseil to prove to her two grandchildren that she was “still in her prime.”

She said later, “It was amazing. I’ll have to think up another new thing to try now to top it.”

Alison Pinder (48) travelled from London specially for the abseil, which she completed in memory of a family friend from Dundee.

“A good friend of mine died from a brain tumour about six months ago, but he and his wife have had so much help from Maggie’s Centre,” she said.

“The abseil was scary, really scary. Never again. I’m terrified of heights and the worst bit was going over the top.

“I came off the rope and I was shaking, and I’m still shaking now. Our team is called the G&Ts, and we’re going to get one afterwards to steady our nerves.”

Alan Nicoll (20), of Whitfield, was doing “his bit to help” after his grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer last December.

But getting over the rail at the top of the tower was the worst part of the “scary” experience, he said.

Three pairs descended every 15 minutes, overseen by outdoor pursuits company Freespirits.

The event was organised by Tracey Curry, an active schools co-ordinator for Dundee City Council, who admitted to having a few nerves of her own.

Each participant was asked to raise at least £100 in order to take part, and Tracey expected to raise around £13,000.

But the final total includes additional sponsorship and equates to around 4% of the funding required to keep the centre open each year.