A FIREMAN, an accountancy team, a managing director and a sales assistant are gearing themselves up to shimmy down the side of a Watford car park to raise money for the Peace Hospice.

The charity abseil will take place on Sunday, June 23, from the top of The Harlequin shopping centre's Kings car park.

Accountancy firm Baker Tilly in Station Road is putting forward three candidates for the early morning challenge. Business recovery administrator Hina Patel, IT manager Alex Oldfield and insolvency administrator Maria Strong will all dress up as comic book characters for their descent.

Although none of them have done any prior preparation for the event, they are all cautiously enthusiastic.

Miss Patel, who, as Batman's sidekick, Robin, will don a pair of green tights on the day, said: "I am very, very nervous and will get a drink as soon as I come back to earth but I am looking forward to it.'

Her colleague, Mrs Strong, who will impersonate Batman for the abseil, said: "My friends and family think I am mad but I'm doing this because it is for a local charity which probably does not get as much support as big charities." The 30-year-old from Rickmansworth added that she is most looking to "a beer afterwards" and is least looking forward to "looking over the side of the building".

Bosses at Baker Tilly have also pledged to double the final amount raised by the trio.

Husband-and-wife team Helen and Neville White, who live on St Albans Road, are taking part.

Sales assistant Mrs White, 37, said: "A very close friend spent a lot of her last months at the hospice, so I thought it would be a good idea to do this, although I am scared of heights, unlike my husband who is a fireman with the Garston firestation."

The mother-of-six added: "I am trying to be positive and have raised £100 at the moment although I have not actually looked up at that car park yet."

Mr David Haslen, the managing director of Whippendell Road printers JDM, is a seasoned professional at charity stunts, having canoed raging rivers and trekked across the Arctic for various fundraising groups.

Mr Graham Head, from the Bear Factory in The Harlequin shopping centre, is planning to abseil wearing a massive teddy bear costume.

The abseil is the final event in the national fundraising week Go Yellow.

The hospice's community fundraiser, Ms Jill Crowson said: "We raised £7000 last year and we are hoping to raise £12,000 this year."

So far, about 80 people have agreed to find the minimum £75 sponsorship needed to take part, but the hospice is hoping they will find 20 more people willing to have a go to make it an even 100.

To take part, telephone 01923 330340.

June 17, 2002 12:00