Burnham: Daredevil reporter scales church for charity (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Burnham: Daredevil reporter scales church for charity

10:30am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Local News By Emma Robinson

As I stood on top of St Mary’s Church tower in Burnham I suddenly felt sick.

I was a hell of a long way up and about to make a unconventional way down.

In a few minutes I would be abseiling more than 100 feet to the ground, strapped only to a rope, to raise money to combat poverty.

Was I mad?

The event, which took place all day on Saturday, saw almost 40 people from across the district “go over the top” and raise thousands for Christian Aid.

The charity provides practical help to countries and communities struggling with poverty.

Despite the initial nerves and horror of climbing out onto a narrow ledge and hanging by my hands, I had a brilliant time.

After I made the first few wobbly steps I soon got the hang of it and made good time to the bottom, helped by the crowd of spectators cheering me on.

I even managed to turn round, let go of my rope and give a nervous thumbs up.

See this week's MBS for the full story.