MARY Tampion is not your average grandmother – in fact she is great in every sense of the word.

To prove it she was set to mark her 85th birthday today in daredevil fashion by abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The cause is close to her heart as her great-granddaughter Adelaide Westbrook, 10, has the condition.

Mary, from Hedge End, says she is ready for to face her fears and has already undertaken a training run at Woodmill Outdoor Activities Centre in Southampton.

Speaking about the abseil off the 170-metre landmark, the highest structure in Hampshire, Mary said: “I am not nervous. I am really looking forward to doing it and seeing how much money I can raise.”

Adelaide was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just eight months old. Her family had taken her to 10 different doctors in a desperate bid to find out what was wrong with her.

Adelaide’s mum, Carlene Westwood, 30, from Eastleigh, said: “Adelaide has been admitted to hospital four or five times in her life.

“She has only just started to gain weight in the past few years as she always used to not want to eat. Adelaide does not let cystic fibrosis stop her from doing anything she wants to do – she is an inspiration.

“Mary is just fearless to abseil from a building that high. I am terrified of heights myself. I do not know if I could it.

“Mary is the type of woman that if you say she can’t do it, she will do it.”

More than £1,000 has already been pledged ahead of the stunt.

• Sponsor Mary at uk.virginmoneygiving.com