12:31pm Sunday 21st March 2010
By Neil Docking
THREE pensioners led the first ever abseil down St James' Church tower, Accrington.
The trio descended down the 460-year-old tower on Saturday in aid of Help the Heroes and Kevin Logan's election campaign for the Christian People's Alliance.
Great-grandmother Josie Jackson, 65, of Haywood Close, was the first of more than 50 people to complete the abseil.
She said: “I've never abseiled before. But the man informed me that I'm the first person to ever abseil down St James', so I've got my place in the history books!
“I felt fine, the worst bit was going up in the dark tower.”
Mrs Jackson was followed by former upholsterer Claire Butterworth, 65, of Blackburn Road.
She said: “It was just getting on the ledge and pushing off that made me nervous.
“I'd rather go back down there than down the stairs!”
Great-grandmother Marguerite Smith, 71, of Oakwood Road, said she had enjoyed the experience.
The ex-primary school teacher said: “It was fine. I have abseiled before, but it was a long time ago!”
The challenge was organised by Ann Logan, whose husband preaches at the church, and was run by the Chorley-based outdoor adventure group Adventure 21.
She said: “I organised this event to raise funds to benefit the two men in my life, my son, Russell Edmonds, who is now serving in Afghanistan as a captain and the intelligence officer for the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, and also my husband, Kevin, who is standing for parliament.
“The proceeds of the abseil will be split 50-50 between the soldiers charity and the election costs.
“We've asked for local heroes to help the heroes in Afghanistan.”
The couple, who are both in their 60s, also took to the wall.
Mr Logan said: “We have been delighted by the support that we have had.
“We would love to raise £2,000 but if we get £1,000 and give £500 to each cause that would be great.”
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