100ft Tettenhall abseil for adventurous vicar Simon
An adventurous vicar showed he could rise to a charity challenge when he abseiled down the side of a 100ft medieval church tower.
The Rev Simon Douglas was the first of 15 fearless fundraisers to take the plunge off the top of the 600-year-old bell tower at St Michael and All Angels Church in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton.
The harrowing hang formed part of the church's annual 'Big Welcome' open day, where new people are welcomed to join the congregation.
Last year the highlight of the open day featured dozens of parachute-wearing teddy bears being hurled off the roof of the bell tower.
Rev Douglas said it was high time for him to emulate the stuffed sky-divers.
"We discussed what we were going to do and it seemed fair that if the bears could do it, so should we," said the 43-year-old from Aldersley.
"I've done abseiling before, but never off a building this old. There was a real danger it might not hold, so it felt much better once we had all returned to the ground."
Equipment and guidance for the abseil was provided by the Wolf Mountain Indoor Climbing and Caving Centre in Paget Road. The firm also erected a set of steps to make it easier for participants to ascend the aged monument.
Rev Douglas, who was followed down the tower by 50-year-old Rector Richard Reeve, said he had initially wanted to complete the stunt in full dress gown.
"Sadly the harness would not fit around it, so I had to settle for the clerical shirt and collar," he added.
Carrie Jahn and Emira Marku, who are both members of staff at the Sunrise Care Home in Tettenhall, also took part.
The event raised cash for repair works to the church and the Streetlight Trust, a charity working with street children in Manilla.
Rev Douglas said a number of ideas were already in the pipeline for next year's open day, including a plan to sleep overnight in the tower.
