Daredevil minister takes leap of faith
Published on 28 June 2019
A daredevil minister is taking a leap of faith and doing a SAS-style freefall off the Forth Bridge.
Rev Susan Cord, who leads Killearnan and Knockbain Parish Church on the Black Isle, is participating in the 165ft descent to raise money for one of Scotland's largest social care charities.
The 44-year-old said she was "excited" about the prospect of stepping off the iconic cantilever bridge in South Queensferry on July 7 in aid of CrossReach.
Ms Cord, who has done a 10,00ft tandem skydive and abseiled at an indoor climbing centre before, said: "The Forth Bridge is my favourite bridge and is an icon of Scottish engineering, known the world over.
"To get closer and see it from another angle, while doing something so memorable, seemed like an opportunity too good to miss."
Practical action
Ms Cord has set up an online fundraising page and has raised nearly £650 so far to support CrossReach, which provides cradle to the grave services across Scotland.
"It is an amazing charity which helps the most vulnerable in society," the minister said.
"Staff and volunteers show Christ's love in practical action.
"Caring with dignity for those living with dementia, providing perinatal counselling services, substance abuse recovery centres, working with families to offer holistic care and providing prison visiting centres to make visiting loved ones easier.
"The list goes on."
Ms Cord used to work for CrossReach, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, and described it as the second best job she has had.
"The best is being a minister and I hope that through doing something daft, I can raise some money for the charity and promote its great work so more people will know what they do and want to support them," she added.
Opened in 1890, the 8,094ft long Forth Bridge spans the Firth of Forth, connecting Lothian and Fife.
It is a Unesco World Heritage site and considered by many to be Scotland's greatest man made wonder.
