Blessing in the skies (From Croydon Guardian)

Blessing in the skies: Reverend Linda Fox swaps the pulpit for a plane

5:00am Monday 1st October 2012 in News By Hannah Williamson

A reverend will be swapping the pulpit for a plane as she prepares to skydive for charity.

Reverend Linda Fox of the South Croydon Benefice is doing a sponsored parachute jump to raise money for St Chad's church in Zimbabwe.

The Benefice, which consists of two churches, St Peter's and St Augustine's, has been linked with St Chad's through Croydon Zimbabwe Link, which joins Anglican churches in the area with the African nation.

The congregations of St Peter's and St Augustine's hope to raise £6,000 towards the a new rectory at St Chad's which is in Shurugwi, a mining town about 100 miles north of Bulawayo.

Ms Fox is due to jump on October 5, at Headcorn Airfield in Kent, pending the weather.

She said: "I am terrified. I don't like heights and I don't do ledges.

"This is my biggest fear, but for the people in Zimbabwe it has been an enormous challenge for them to build this church. I just felt I should do a huge challenge to raise money for them.

"It is a big challenge for me, but its been an enormous challenge for them."

The new rectory at St Chad's will be a meeting place where parishioners can share information and resources.

So far the Benefice has raised about £3,000 for the church, but Revered Fox is hopeful her parachute jump will help them reach their target.

She added: "We have raised £3,000 from various different events in about six months which is great. I really hope the jump will help us reach our total."

To sponsor Ms Fox visit justgiving.com/themadbadrevsmomentofmadness or send donations to Mrs Fiona Walker, 20 Hayling Park Road, South Croydon, CR2 6NE.