A Dundee woman who has spent a lifetime terrified of heights is set to face her fears with a 130ft abseil in memory of her late husband.
Today Janette Simpkins of Broughty Ferry will be one of 63 people taking part in the Marie Curie Daredevil Challenge at Dundee University’s Tower Building.
And while most participants will experience a healthy degree of fear on the roof, 57-year-old Janette’s chronic vertigo means this challenge will be a monumental one for her.
Janette’s husband Ed was just 33 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Initially the couple believed an operation and radiotherapy had killed the cancer, but in April 1990 they received the shock news that the tumour had returned and that Ed’s condition was now terminal.
Janette, who was 20 weeks pregnant with her third child, was determined to honour her husband’s wish to be at home at the end of life.
Forced to wind up the couple’s car repair business, Janette was stretched to her limits emotionally and physically trying to care for her husband and daughters Emma, 7, and Sarah, 6.
However, Marie Curie Cancer Care stepped in, with nurses who cared for Ed in his own home during the night, which allowed Janette to sleep.
Now, 23 years on, she remains grateful to the women who helped her through.
She said: “I am so grateful to them for all the support they gave me and for helping Ed be where he wanted to be.”
Ed died on August 31 1990, at home with his wife by his side.
Two months later Janette gave birth to baby Craig and faced a new life alone as a widowed mother-of-three.
She said: “I’ve always been scared of heights, but I’m fit and healthy and it’s my turn to give something back.
“If this raises funds for other families that’s all good.
“It’s just a case of mind over matter now and I will do it, there is no going back.”
Petra McMillan, a patron for Marie Curie Cancer Care, the charity that provides free professional nursing care to the terminally ill at home, praised Janette’s bravery in taking part in the fourth annual abseil event.
If anyone would like to support Janette, visit www.justgiving.com/Dundee-Fundraising-Group1 or contact Marie Curie Cancer Care’s patron Petra McMillan at petramcmillan@sky.com.