A group of NHS workers swapped wards for cliff faces as they abseiled 180ft down Berry Cliffs in a daring fundraising challenge.
Thirteen nurses, healthcare assistants and housekeeping staff from the Tarka and Roborough wards at North Devon District Hospital - calling themselves "The Otters" - took on the daunting descent near Hartland. Together they raised more than £2,500 to support end of life and palliative care at the hospital in Barnstaple.
The team joined 25 participants in the Berry Beast Abseil, organised by the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity. The event, held recently, brought in nearly £5,000 to help enhance local hospital services beyond standard NHS funding.
Senior healthcare support worker Emma Beeston said the group faced their fears to fund improvements for patients in their care.
"Not everyone will have the option to die in a hospice or at home; many people make that journey in hospital, with, or unfortunately without, family present," Emma said.
"As a team, we want to ensure that the end of life patients we provide care for have an experience that enables them to die with dignity in the most personal, comfortable, safe and adaptable environment possible."
The Otters plan to use the money to help create a private space for difficult conversations, as well as to buy items including wash bags, pyjamas, hair wash caps, light boxes, diffusers, condolences cards and knitted hearts for relatives.
Emma added: "Our fundraising does not stop here so if anyone would still like to contribute, they can still make a donation online at https://rdhc.enthuse.com/pf/otter-s-abseil."
Josh Allan, fundraising manager for the charity, praised the team's efforts. He said: "Massive congratulations to the Otters team and all our abseilers for conquering this gigantic cliff face. The size of this cliff really does take your breath away so to take it on and raise money for such a fantastic cause is very special."
The charity, formerly known as Over and Above, supports the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, helping fund new equipment, facilities, staff training and research. More information can be found at www.royaldevoncharity.org.uk.