A group of dare devil fundraisers are getting ready to take to the skies this weekend as they prepare to jump off Ipswich Hospital on a zip line.

East Anglian Daily Times: Laura Dolan will be zip wiring off the maternity block Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNLaura Dolan will be zip wiring off the maternity block Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Many of the fundraisers will be dressed as superheroes as they jump off the 135 ft tall maternity unit to raise money for their chosen area of the hospital.

The event replaces the annual abseil from the building and was so popular that organisers had to add an extra day so more people could take part.

One of those taking part is Laura Dolan who is raising money for the Blossom Appeal after being treated for breast cancer herself at the hospital.

Ms Dolan said:“I started fundraising because I want to give something back to the hospital that has treated me for cancer. I have never fundraised before and so when the Blossom Appeal was launched in October 2017 it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to get involved in fundraising.

“In early November I saw that the hospital was promoting the super hero zip line, asking for participants to raise funds for their chosen ward/department. I sent my two sisters and mum a WhatsApp message joking that it would be fun for us to do it and by the end of the day we were signed up to “fly”!

“We are now approaching the £3,000 mark which is amazing as I initially only set out to raise £500!”

“My mum and sisters have been with me throughout my cancer journey and it seemed appropriate that we did a crazy challenge together whilst raising much needed funds for an amazing cause.

“None of us have done anything like this before!”

In total those taking part in the event have raised over £31,000 for for the Ipswich Hospital Charity so far.

A spokesperson for the Ipswich Hospital Charity said:“We are all so excited that the zip line has been so well received by the local public having sold out months ago!”

“Their fundraising is helping over 30 different wards and departments across the hospital, this money will help purchase new equipment, enable much needed refurbishments and add those little touches that make all the difference to our patient’s experience in hospital.”

“I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone in their Superhero costumes and taking on this brand new challenge for the first time! Big thank you to everyone taking part and all of our wonderful volunteers who will make the event possible over the weekend.”

The zip liners will be taking to the sky across the bank holiday weekend.