Two women from vastly different backgrounds are teaming up to abseil a City of London skyscraper for a hospice in Esher.

The daunting challenge will see English Retiree Jennifer Benyon-Tinker and palliative care doctor Kat Hanouskova join forces and plunge over the edge of the Broadgate Tower in central London.

They are raising funds for the Princess Alice Hospice charity, which is based in Esher.

The hospice provides expert end of life care and support.

Ms Hanouskova, who plans to return to the Czech Republic later this year, works as a doctor at the Esher Hospice.

She described how abseiling for charity was somewhat of an alien concept for her fellow Czechs, some of whom were bemused by her plans to walk down the side of a towering London skyscraper.

"People will maybe run a marathon for charity but challenges such as this, or skydiving, are just not part of the culture," she said.

"It’s difficult getting the message across — just exactly what I’m doing — and why!"

For Ms Benyon-Tinker, a retired IT specialist, the daunting challenge should not take much explaining at all.

She's already completed several death-defying feats such as this one, including abseiling Canary Wharf in 2007.

This time, Ms Benyon-Tinker said, she would be doing so in memory of her close friend Nina, and as a tribute to her brother, Christopher Whitwell, who died unexpectedly in July.

"In some respects it is often harder for the family and friends than the person with cancer and places like the Princess Alice Hospice allow people to die with dignity as well as offering the loved ones counselling and support," she said.

Despite their different backgrounds and careers, something both women share will make the challenge even more terrifying.

Both Jennifer and Kat are scared of heights.

"I am scared of heights and do not enjoy abseiling but feel I should do something that makes me face up to my fears.

"I hope the guys up the top don't tell me not to look down or I might push them over the edge!" Ms Benyon-Tinker said.

Ms Hanouskova, who said she hopes to be "connected to the Princess Alice Hospice forever" as a result of the challenge, agreed.

"I was always afraid of heights if I wasn’t attached to anything and I would say it is getting worse.

"I have this completely mixed feeling about the abseil. I am very excited but petrified at the same time.

"Looking forward? Definitely. Worried that I will freeze — yes indeed!” she said.

The pair will take on the terrifying task on September 15, and are both raising money under their names on the Justgiving website.