FAITH IN THE COMMUNITY: Why I won't be throwing myself off Spinnaker Tower

by the Rev Hugo Deadman, vicar, St Michael's Church, Paulsgrove

Vicky Beckett who will abseil down the Spinnaker Tower for two good causes | St Michael's Church, Paulsgrove

placeholder image — Vicky Beckett who will abseil down the Spinnaker Tower for two good causes | St Michael's Church, Paulsgrove

I'D like to confess something to you. I’m a bit of a scaredy cat. In fact, I’m scared of many things. But I’m absolutely terrified of heights.

So I’ll be letting down a member of the church family I serve in Paulsgrove on the 19th September. Because Vicky Beckett is going to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower – all 300 foot of it.

Bank Holiday tea party at St Michael's, Paulsgrove, to mark 100 years of the city of Portsmouth | St Michael's, Paulsgrove

I’ll be there to support her. I will pray for her as she descends. But my feet will be planted firmly on the ground.

Vicky’s doing this bravest of things for the best of reasons. Half the money she raises will go towards stocking the Paulsgrove Bathroom Bank at St Michael’s, which combats hygiene poverty by supplying local people with the basics they need. It’s just not right that people can’t afford the bare necessities.

The other half will help us make Christmas for Paulsgrove children that little bit happier. We always try to have a cracking Santa’s grotto at our Christmas Fair, but we know how tough it is for local families to afford it or to have the little things that make the season merry.

So the money Vicky is raising will subsidise the grotto, so we can only charge a tiny amount but can give a great present – and encourage Santa to drop off presents at the homes of some families too.

Vicky is doing this because she wants to make our community better and happier, perhaps more loving.

That’s what we try to do as a church family: to serve God and Paulsgrove.

So on Bank Holiday Monday we were able to welcome over 100 people to a cream tea party, with children’s games and a disco, thanks to a generous grant from the City Council to celebrate Portsmouth’s 100 years as a city.

It was great fun. The community came together and enjoy themselves – and not worry about money. Vast numbers of scones were consumed, vats of tea were drunk – and we were even able to give children party bags as well.

The Rev Hugo Deadman outside St Michael's Church, Paulsgrove | Diocese of Portsmouth

For me, this is living out the love of God. God has a special care for places like Paulsgrove – and we are called to show what that care and love looks like by being right in the middle of our community and serving it in whatever way we can.

But I draw the line at peering 300 foot down from the Spinnaker Tower!

Please sponsor Vicky via her Gofundme page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/christmas-in-paulsgrove