The North Devon Hospice's Great Devon Dangle Fundraiser 2011

Imagine our surprise when in braving the elements to walk a Hartland chunk of the coastal path with the dog at the weekend, we stumbled across folk flinging themselves over the sides of the cliffs - all part of the Great Devon Dangle (which we had pre-publicised here on the site).

To understand just how brave the people taking part really were, take a look at the sheer 180ft drop of the cliff face in the gallery of pix we've just posted.

We had thought this would be lots of younger lads outdoing each other in the bravery stakes but nothing could be further from the truth; all the participants we witnessed scaling down the cliff edge were female and hopefully won't be too upset if we say probably over 21.

And as we watched one woman abseil down the cliff, her sister who was there (and ignoring the stormy conditions) to proudly cheer her own told us she was doing it in memory of her husband who had recently died. The fact is, you have to admire the spirit of these people and, of course, those who organise the event, including the team from Skern Lodge (www.skernlodge.co.uk)

The funds raised over the course of the two-day event this weekend just gone help North Devon Hospice provide free, specialist care for families dealing with life-threatening illnesses throughout North Devon.

The hospice nurses cover over 1,000 square miles visiting over 100 patients every day in their own homes, and at no cost to the families.

That said, it costs the charity itself over £3 million each year to provide this service making it one of the most worthwhile local cause we can all support. The organisation's fundraisers are genius are dreaming up interesting new challenges so if you missed The Great Devon Dangle this year and don't want to wait until next to do something, check out their website (www.northdevonhospice.org.uk) for the next big fundraising event.

And meanwhile, huge congratulations to all those brave enough to dangle themselves over and down a 180ft cliff and over stormy seas at the weekend.

Only in Devon.....