TWO Newport friends are taking a brave step for charity to celebrate their 50th birthdays this year.

Louise Hoppe and Nicola Titmus will abseil down Newport’s Transporter Bridge on March 17 in aid of St David’s Foundation Hospice Care.

Mrs Hoppe, from Bassaleg, will celebrate her 50th birthday in June and Mrs Titmus turned 50 in October last year.

Mrs Hoppe was keen to help the charity after using its counselling service.

She describes herself as a “success story,” after being treated for breast cancer when she was 33.

The friends, who have known each other for around 20 years, want to raise around £300.

This is not the first charity event the friends have tried, as they have taken part in the Cardiff Half- Marathon four times and are also looking into doing the Women’s Cancer Cycle Challenge in Cuba next year.

Mrs Titmus works for HSBC and the bank has agreed to match the money raised by the friends.

The abseil at Newport’s iconic landmark costs £10 to enter and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £75 in sponsorship.

To register, call St David’s Foundation on 01633 271364.