Leap of faith over Forth for abseiling church leaders

Three church leaders will say their prayers before they launch themselves over the side of the Forth Bridge.

Moderator of the General Assembly of the Chuch of Scotland, the Right Rev Dr Russell Barr will abseil down the iconic structure from 165ft, with principal clerk the Very Rev Dr John Chalmers and chief executive of CrossReach, Peter Bailey.

Dr Barr stands down from his year-long ambassador role on Saturday and will perform the leap of faith next Sunday.

The daredevil minister has previously braved a parachute jump and hopes his latest adventure will raise at least £10,000 for CrossReach, the church’s social care arm.

He said: “The General Assembly starts on Saturday and I am going to be handing over my duties to my successor, Rev Dr Derek Browning.

“But rather than just going out with a whimper, I wanted to go out with a bang, metaphorically speaking.

“CrossReach is one of the great organisations within the Church of Scotland.

“It is doing fabulous work in a difficult financial climate and donations could make all the difference.”

Mr Chalmers and Mr Bailey are also retiring and the gang have been nicknamed ‘The Three Formers’.

CrossReach is one of Scotland’s largest providers of social services, offering care for older people, help with alcoholism, drug and mental health problems, and assistance for homeless people and those with special learning needs.

The Right Rev Dr Russell Barr.