A Salisbury couple will commit a daredevil feat in their bid to help raise money to fight cancer this Saturday.

Salisbury husband and wife David and Alison Roycroft will be abseiling down Spinnaker Tower, the 170m landmark in Portsmouth.

They will be braving the abseil to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer and in memory of local woman Gemma Fay, who lost her life to cancer last year days after she turned 25. 

Gemma was loved by all who knew her and especially by her family, friends and dog Barney (Image: David Roycroft) Read more: Completing the 36 mile Jurassic Coast challenge to support a cancer charity

Speaking to the Journal the day before the couple will take to the Portsmouth skyline, David said: "It's quite emotional really. My own daughter is 25 and I knew Gemma all her life."

A long time friend of Gemma's parents, Stuart and Rachel Fay, David is no stranger to fundraising for worthy causes.

Talking about Stuart, David said: "He's been such a good friend to me."

Last year David did a wing walk last year in memory of his first wife Jennifer Roycroft, and, next year, will be doing a 15,000ft parachute jump to raise money for brain cancer in memory of his late-father Roger Roycroft.  

David has done completed multiple feats to raise money for charity (Image: David Roycroft) Alison and David also raised money for MS last year by organising and participating in a sponsored 25km coast walk near Minehead.

Alison lost her first husband (John Lawford) to MS in 2013, as did David's American cousin, Matt, who died of MS last year, as well as some other extended family. 

Despite all this, David said he and Alison opted for their latest challenge after missing-out on this year's Jurassic Coast walk.

Read more: Gems Shining Lights trek the Jurassic Coast for Young Lives vs Cancer

John was only 46 years old when he passed away (Image: Alison Roycroft) "We couldn't do the Jurassic walk and I said I wanted to do something.

"He [Stuart] was surprised when he found out I was going to abseil down Spinnaker Tower!"

David told the Journal about Gemma's story. She was a talented young woman who, after being diagnosed with cancer, fought to raise money to fight it herself.

Gemma was diagnosed with a rare form of soft tissue hip cancer (Synovial Sarcoma) in September 2020 and the former Trafalgar School head girl tragically lost her life at just 25.

"There's been a lot of money raised in her memory," Dave said.

Gemma with her mother, Rachel Fay (Image: Young Lives vs Cancer) This Saturday's abseil was David's idea and Alison only found out after he shouted to her he had booked them up.

Apparently, she replied: "Oh my God!"

Asked if he was nervous, the serial fundraiser said: "Yes. My wife [Alison] is more nervous than me, but I'm sure once I get up there I'' be nervous."

David has some experience of abseiling, but he was 17 when he last went and doubts that experience will help him very much.

Starting with a target of £600, David and Alison have raised over £1000, but every pound counts in the fight against cancer.

Young Lives vs Cancer is charity that helps children and young people, from zero the 25 and their families "find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them".

Click here for David and Alisson's JustGiving page.

Click here for more information about Young Lives vs Cancer.