On December 2 and 3, the Bermuda Regiment's B Company will host a two-day charity abseiling event to help out the victims of Hurricane Luis, which slammed into the eastern Caribbean in September.

The main organisers -- Captain Richard Doughty and Captain Henry Simpson -- said they hope to raise more than $10,000 through the exercise, which will see a proposed 120 participants abseil down the walls of the 65-foot fire tower of Hamilton Fire Station.

So far, Capt. Doughty said, approximately 20 people have signed up for the fundraiser.

He added that notables from the Premier to the Deputy Governor to the Commissioner of Police have been invited to take part, though none of them has committed to the event as of yet.

"We're asking participants,'' said Capt. Doughty, "to raise over $100 each through sponsorship.'' He added that participants, who must sign a disclaimer, must be over the age of 16 and in a generally fit condition.

Last year, Capt. Doughty, who recently returned from a stint in the British army, "put down 120 (abseilers)'' in a similar type of exercise.

One of them, he said, included a woman who was decidedly over the age of 16.

"I put down a grandmother last year,'' the Captain said, adding: "Abseiling is a great way of overcoming a fear of heights.'' For those who might need a little more reassurance before actually taking the plunge, the Regiment, which requires that one of its companies organise a charity event each year, has just invested in some new abseiling equipment, Capt. Doughty said.

Anyone who is interested in acquiring an application should phone 238-3881 or fax 238-8433.