Leap of faith for vicar with a fear of heights

Intrepid Rev Anna Moore once abseiled from the roof of a hospital

A vicar from Surrey with a fear of heights is set to take a leap of faith with a charity skydive.

Rev Anna Moore will drop from 12,000ft (3,657m) over Headcorn, Kent, on 25 May while strapped to an instructor.

And while she admits to "more than a few nerves," she is hoping her descent will raise a healthy sum – and awareness of her church, St Matthew’s in Redhill.

She said: "Obviously I’m a tad apprehensive, but I wanted to do something to raise awareness – as well as money – for all our team is doing."

The mother-of-three is no stranger to testing herself and once abseiled down Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Woolwich.

"I was scared stiff by the prospect of hanging off a building - jumping from thousands of feet takes everything to another level."

She is looking forward to the skydive challenge and the cause of helping the local community "is a real driving force".

'Community support'

Rev Moore, 47, who has been sponsored by the church's local funeral directors joked that she may be needing their services.

She said the church is supporting the local area with "a much-needed" food bank as well as providing a space for the Ukrainian community.

It recently launched a Pride Café and wants to "keep up and do more where possible," she said.

"Like other organisations we also face rising costs to maintain the fabric of the building, carry out basic general maintenance tasks and provide heat and lighting," she said.

"We need the support of our community to provide these basics."

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