A HARROGATE woman is preparing to take part in a daring abseil for the second time, in memory of her best friend.

Cathy McConaghy will be thinking of her friend, Kathryn Lumb, who died after battling with cancer of the cervix and lymph glands, when she abseils 80ft down the side of Marks & Spencer in Cambridge Street, Harrogate, on March 9.

It will be the second year running for Cathy, organiser of Harrogate's Yorkshire Brides bridal show, who has put all her efforts into raising money for Cancer Research UK after Kathryn's death. Last year she took part in the Harrogate abseil dressed in full wedding gear, and raised over £1,000.

Now she is urging others to join her in the challenge. She said: "In the days leading up to the abseil I was getting increasingly nervous. I regularly got butterflies but I turned those thoughts around to think how proud my best friend would be.

"As I walked up the stairs to the roof the butterflies got worse and my legs got shaky. It took me quite a while to take that last step over the edge that was the scariest bit but as soon as I realised I couldn't fall I started to enjoy myself and could have done it again there and then! Abseiling is a fabulous personal challenge for a worthwhile cause and if I can do my little bit to help then I can cope with a few butterflies!"

Cancer Research UK is looking for individuals and teams to register for the sponsored abseil. Participants will be in the capable hands of fully-qualified, experienced instructors so any prior experience is not needed. All those registering to take part will receive a Cancer Research UK T-shirt and certificate and anyone who raises £250 or more will receive a voucher for a free helicopter ride.

For further information on how to take part, phone Angela Mountfield, event fundraiser, on 0113 231 9828, or email angela.mountfield@cancer.org.uk.

Updated: 11:14 Tuesday, January 21, 2003