A grandfather from Alderley Edge has successfully completed his first skydive over Morecambe Bay, raising over £700 towards the repairs of a village landmark.
Rod Hogarth took off from Cark aerodrome in a light plane on Sunday, 19th May, along with his instructor. At 14,000 feet they jumped out and after a skydive of about 10,000 feet the parachute was opened and they landed back at the air field.
Rod said "It was an absolutely fantastic experience and the views at 14,000 feet of the Lake District all the way down to Blackpool Tower were amazing. I am really grateful to all those who sponsored me and I am so pleased to have raised the money for the Spire."
Rod decided to make his first tandem parachute jump to raise funds for the St Philips and St James' Spire Appeal which was launched last July.
The Grade II* listed building, which was designed by the prominent Manchester architect J.S.Crowther and is 160 years old this year, is in need of essential restorations works which will cost in the region of £150,000.
The metal rods which hold the spire together need replacing as they have corroded, in order to do this a substantial proportion of the spire will need to be taken down and then built back up.
If the church is unable to raise the required £150,000 then they may have to take the spire down and cap it off, potentially losing a very important village landmark.
Anybody wishing to add to Rod's total can do so by going to visiting mydonate.bt.com/events/rodsleapoffaith
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