CROWDS gathered in Gainford at the weekend to witness 38 people take a leap of faith to raise funds for St Mary’s Church.
The event, on Saturday, June 8, saw brave people sign up to take part in the rare opportunity to abseil 50 feet off the church’s clock tower.
It is the second time the leap of faith abseil has been run. In 2017 about 50 people took part and the latest event was organised by Emma Gallagher, one of the original participants seven years ago.
Ms Gallagher said: “I loved it when we did it. The view was incredible from the tower and the feeling was amazing.
“We were looking for fundraising ideas and I asked if I could do the leap of faith as it attracts a lot of people to the church and is great fun to do.”
Participants of all ages – from eight years old through to those in their seventies – took part with four people, including Ms Gallagher’s 10-year-old daughter Ava asking to do repeat jumps.
She added: “Our youngest leaper was Toby, aged eight, and we raised more than £500, but we still have some donations being processed.”
Vicar, the Revd Eileen Harrop, who suffers from vertigo, was unable to take part but cheered on participants from the ground.
She said: “I did ask permission if I could do it in tandem with someone, but I was denied but it is wonderful to see so many people in the community coming together to do this.”
Among the first to step out over the parapet was Carole Bayles, who had been persuaded to take part by daughter Jacqueline Ferguson.
Mrs Bayles said: “My daughter did the abseil last time but she has a spinal injury now and so I’m doing it for her.”
Ms Ferguson said: “It didn’t take much persuading for her to do it. She cheered me on when I did it and I’m her cheerleader this time.”
Chris Jones took part seven years ago and was one of the first to sign up for the latest abseil, said: “I did it last time and loved it. It’s amazing, well apart from the first moment but after that I loved it.”
Joe Tidswell, ten, said he was more excited than nervous ahead of his leap, which he did accompanied by Gainford Bear, his primary school’s mascot.
During the abseils footage from a drone was streamed live onto a projector screen inside the church where refreshments were also on hand.
Revd Harrop added: “We have also recorded the footage and will make it available for people to see.”
