A skydiving vicar has raised more than £2,500 for church and community funds after taking to the skies for the first time.
The Revd Gerard Rundell, Team Rector for Christ the King Team Ministry, is vicar at St Aidan’s Church in Brunton Park, Gosforth.
He fulfilled a long-term ambition of skydiving on Saturday, 13 June, successfully parachuting from a plane at 14,000ft over Shotton Colliery.
“It was great fun,” said Gerard. “I would certainly do it again. It was beautiful up there above the clouds and as I descended I could look out to the sea and the Durham landscape.
“Going up in the plane was absolutely fine, but then there is that surreal moment when the sliding door opens, and that never feels quite right! But I was in safe hands. Once I jumped it was 50 seconds of freefall and then five minutes of parachuting. “
While Gerard was safely strapped to an experienced instructor thanks to Sky-High Skydiving, he was handed an unexpected challenge on the way down.
He explained: “The skydive was filmed and the camera man was adjacent to us on the descent. I was asked to give a blessing to the camera man. It was a wonderful experience and not something I was expecting at 14,000ft.”
Gerard’s sister Katherine Rundell, a children’s author, also carried out a skydive on the same day which made it even more special.
“We had talked about doing a skydive and I’m so glad we did. It is something I had wanted to do for some time but I thought it would also be a great opportunity to raise some funds for our vital work.”
The money raised will boost the church’s Family and Children’s Worker Fund, supporting Janice Charlton and her work. This includes an after-school club and summer club, as well as other outreach, and community and schools events at different times of the year, including Easter, Harvest and Christmas.
Gerard added: “Everyone has been incredibly generous. We are delighted at the amount of money this has raised and it will make a difference to how we support children, young people and families in our community. A huge thank you goes to everyone who has donated. We are very grateful indeed.”
The current total, which stands at over £2,500, will rise to more than £3,000 with gift aid included.
There is still time to donate. Click here
Photos: The Revd Gerard Rundell is pictured strapped to the front of his skydiving instructor
Credit: Sky-High Skydiving