A Southsea nurse has lost 12 stone after being told she was too heavy to abseil the Spinnaker Tower

Caryl Purdy, 41, originally wanted to do the abseil eight years ago, but was not able to because she was nine stone over the weight limit.

She said: ‘I was utterly disheartened, the event was just a couple of months away, and there was no feasible way that I could lose that kind of weight.’

Feeling embarrassed and disheartened she told her friend, who was going to do the abseil with her, that she was unwell rather than explain the real reason.

After years of having a bad relationship with her weight, Caryl decided to have a gastric bypass in October last year.

She has subsequently lost 12 stone, and is now able to complete the abseil in memory of her mum who had Motor Neurone Disease and passed away in 2010, aged 56.

She said that the weight loss has changed her life and that she is excited to be able to complete this challenge after years of waiting.

The abseil will take place on Saturday, when she will be joined by her friend, who she confessed to about the reasoning behind her pulling out of the abseil eight years ago.

Caryl added: ‘I chose to support MNDA as this is a charity very close to my heart. Having seen my mum deteriorate and passed away in less than 2 years from diagnosis, raising funds to find a cure and stop others and their friends and family going through the same has become extremely important.’

Motor neurone disease is a life limiting disease that affects the brain and spinal cord as it attacks the nerves that aid movement.

The terrible disease claims the lives of six people a day and affects up to 5,000 people at any one time in the UK.

Denise Davies, head of community fundraising at the MND Association, said: ‘Without the amazing support of people like Caryl, the MND Association simply would not be able to provide its vital support services, fund research to find a cure and campaign and raise awareness of MND.

‘Together we are making a real difference for people affected by this devastating disease.’