Back by popular demand, the ‘Leap of Faith!’ fundraiser, a unique to chance to abseil down the face of the Bath Abbey tower, will be returning this June in support of the Footprint Project and Genesis Trust.
On Saturday 15th June, 54 intrepid fundraisers will take on the challenge all in the name of supporting the Genesis Trust and Bath Abbey’s Footprint Project.
Venturing up 212 steps to the top of the tower, the climbers will be harnessed to a rope before they make their way down three-quarters of the way to the bottom.
Bath Abbey is the last great medieval cathedral in England, and from its highest point offers stunning vistas across the city of Bath and beyond.
Registration is £30 and requested sponsorship is just £150, with an overall fundraising target of £15,000 to be raised.
If you’d like to get involved, go to https://www.trybooking.co.uk/IJW to secure your place.
Both Genesis Trust and Bath Abbey are committed to improving the lives of Bath’s residents, and preserving the health and heritage of the city.
Via various interlinking projects, Genesis Trust meets the needs of the most vulnerable in the community; people who live with hunger, poverty, mental health issues and homelessness.
The Footprint Project will repair the Bath Abbey’s collapsing floor with an eco-friendly heating system, powered by Bath’s natural hot springs.
It will also ensure that the Abbey is more hospitable for its visitors – improving the facilities and expanding its capacity by 200 square meters. This fundraising effort will provide vital momentum to the future plans of both organisations.
The Revd Canon Guy Bridgewater, Rector of Bath Abbey, said: “Since becoming Rector last year, I have had many new experiences but none quite like this!
“Nonetheless I am immensely looking forward to abseilling down the Abbey tower, all the more because it’s to raise money for two wonderful causes, the Genesis Trust and the Abbey’s own Footprint Project.
“Part of the Abbey’s mission is to support the work of Genesis Trust in the city, so we’re delighted to be teaming up once again.
“For us, this is very much a community event, so we’d love to see as many local people as possible on the day, whether they’re taking part or have come along to cheer on the abseilers!”
Peter Windebank, who took part last year, said: “I was proud to be part of an event that was all about Bath.
“I was also impressed and grateful that the Abbey authorities had allowed me to go where few are ever likely to go on such an iconic, precious building that means so much to so many people. A fantastic experience.”
If you don’t like heights, you can go along on the day to get involved from ground level.