GALLERY & VIDEO Hundreds of people took a brave step off the top of Ipswich Hospital's maternity unit to raise almost £80,000 for charity.

HUNDREDS of people took a brave step off the top of Ipswich Hospital's maternity unit to raise almost £80,000 for charity.

The daredevils threw caution to the wind as they scaled down the 150ft wall but were greeted at the ground by cheers and applause from dozens of spectators.

More than 800 people went to the Heath Road site to take part in the two-day event over the weekend, and after getting their harnesses on and receiving instruction from experts, they made the leap of faith.

All participants were raising money for a range of charities - a total of £77,832 was generated by the event.

This is the 13th year the event has been staged and during that period around 350 charities have benefited from sponsorship money.

Frank Turmel, event organiser from Main Event Group Activities, said: “It went really well. They got taken up to the roof and given a lesson by a qualified instructor. For some of them, it was a huge personal challenge.”

The victorious participants all received a certificate for their efforts.