PERCHED on the edge of a 50ft cliff, intrepid Bernie Dearden held her breath.

She’d already trekked 15 miles along the entire coastal path of Portland Island in Dorset to raise funds for the Irish Guards, in memory of her 22-year-old brother, Christopher Davies, who was shot dead by insurgents in Helmand Province, last November.

Now, she was about to leap into the unknown.

Bernie, aged 34, of Harris Street, St Helens, said: “It was the abseil that scared me the most.

“But as soon as I was put on a rope, I just went for it.

“It was brilliant. I absolutely loved it and want to do it again.”

Four Irish Guardsmen, including a captain, and three of their wives, teamed up with Bernie and her friend, Helen Hughes, aged 34, to do a sponsored walk and abseil on Saturday, April 9.

They knew Christopher, and his brother, John, who is also a Guardsman.

Bernie, a carer at St Thomas of Canterbury School added: “The guys from the Irish Guards were brilliant. They acted as our guides and were very supportive. They kept egging us on.”

Bernie has raised £1,500 so far and hopes to reach her target of £2,000 by May 1.

Her brother, Christopher, a former De La Salle pupil, was the 100th UK soldier killed in Afghanistan in 2010.

Thousands of pounds have already been raised in his memory.

A tribute concert is being held at 7.30pm tonight, Thursday, April 21, at Clock Face Miners and Recreation Club.

His family is embarking on a series of challenges to boost funds for the Irish Guards appeal.

Bernie, added: “I’m sure he’d be really proud of us.

“It is keeping us going, especially doing it for this appeal because he was an Irish Guardsman.

“Unless you’re actually involved in anything like this, these little charities get left out.

“I feel really good for doing this.”

To sponsor Bernie, visit www.bemycharity.com/irishguardsappealchrisdavies THERE are a few tickets left for the tribute concert, priced £10, available from the club in Crawford Street, St Helens or call 812291.