A DAREDEVIL office manager raised just over £1,000 abseiling 529ft to help an Alzheimer’s charity after her father was diagnosed with the condition.

Francesca Girardelli, also known as Frankie, abseiled down Broadgate Tower in London for Alzheimer’s Research UK after father was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 55.

Frankie’s Dad, Adrian, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s despite the family not having any history of the disease, and since then it has rapidly transformed the entire family’s lives.

The 29-year-old, who works in Romsey, was supported by her friends, family and colleagues at Allied Office Machines when she descended the tower on September 8.

She said: "I was petrified when I was at the top and when I was making my way down I was in a bit of a hurry to get back on the ground.

"I did it in three minutes and the views were beautiful going down. I was relieved, but pleased that I had accomplished it because it is a charity close to my heart and I raised just over £1,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

"I was pleasantly surprised I raised £1,000 because it is such a big charity and my main target was around £650."

Frankie, who lives in Fareham, added: "I can tick abseiling off the bucket list and I will look for other challenges in the future to raise money, but maybe not one that high.

"I was thinking about maybe doing a 100 mile cycle ride to Newcastle or something every year.

"People think that Alzheimer's is just bad memory, but it comes with other symptoms and you lose a lot of warmth with the person. It is terminal and it is not something you live with so this is about bringing awareness to Alzheimer's."

As previously reported in the Advertiser, Frankie said the challenge "doesn’t compare to the daily struggles of someone living with Alzheimer’s".

She added: "That’s why we must do everything we can to find a cure.”

Allied Office Machines hope to raise as much awareness and donations as possible in order to fund research to change the lives of individuals and families affected by dementia.

To donate to Frankie's cause, visit: https://ricoh-alzheimers-research-uk.everydayhero.com/uk/frankie-s-abseil-for-alzheimer-s-research-uk.