A HOSPICE health care assistant from Gourock is preparing to face her fear of heights to raise money for charity.

Julie Ross will take on a 100-feet high zipline along the River Clyde on September 1 in aid of Ardgowan Hospice.

The 53-year-old hopes her efforts can help raise vital funds which will go towards supporting people with life-limiting illnesses in Inverclyde.

She told the Tele: “I’ve actually got a bit of a fear of heights but, at the moment, I’m feeling alright about it.

“My target was £300 and I’ve hit that already, so hopefully we can raise even more.

“The hospice is cause that’s needed in Inverclyde.

“It’s not just about the patients, it’s their families and relatives as well.

“The support that they get is amazing.”

(Image: George Munro)

Julie joined the hospice as a staff member around a year and a half ago after working as a hairdresser for almost three decades.

After deciding she wanted a career change, she went back to college to study a HNC.

She added: “I trained in hairdressing in Inverclyde and then I went to Glasgow to work for a long time.

“I had been threatening to change paths for five or six years. I just bit the bullet eventually.

“As I was getting older, I was thinking about standing cutting hair all day. I wanted a career I could retire on – although I’m not ready for that yet.”

Julie’s zipline challenge will see her travel 1,245 feet, launching from a crane near the Riverside Museum in Glasgow’s Yorkhill.

Ardgowan Hospice also has some spots remaining for the event, which is open to those over the age of ten.

Anyone who would like to take part is asked to contact fundraising@ardgowanhospice.org.

To donate to Julie's fundraiser, go to justgiving.com.