Sixty people abseil off Hobart’s tallest building for medical research

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Sixty people have faced their fears and abseiled down Tasmania’s tallest building, the Wrest Point Casino, to raise funds for medical research.

The high altitude fundraiser was aiming to raise $40,000 as well as the heart rates of the participants.

The money will go towards the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation which invests in local health and medical research.

Foundation CEO Heather Francis said the money would go towards a range of research fields.

“This year we’re looking at conditions of cancer, early childhood, we’re looking at chronic respiratory disease again,” she said.

“[We are] just keeping that focus on things that are most particular to Tasmania.”

The challenges is now in its third year and has raised more than $100,000 in that time.

Participants ask people to sponsor them make the 60-metre drop down 17 floors.

Ms Francis said people were asked to face their fear of heights for the greater good.

“It’s Tasmania’s tallest building, it’s iconic and that sense of adventure when you’re gazing out across the harbour or directly up at the mountain, it’s really thrilling and that exhilaration that you feel as you come down is fabulous,” she said.

She said participants needed to raise at least $450 to take part.

Ms Francis said many dressed up to make themselves stand out from the crowd.