Parachuting Priests to take part in charity skydive
Father Ben Eadon and Father Mark Lyons are raising money for Sussex-based homeless charity Turning Tides
Two local priests are taking a leap of faith today (28 August) to raise money for the homeless charity Turning Tides.
Father Ben Eadon, of the Parish of St Bartholomew’s Church in Brighton, and Father Mark Lyon, of St Andrew’s Church Tarring, are part of a group of more than 20 taking on the fundraising challenge.
Father Ben says: “I have supported Turning Tides over many years, stemming from my time as a vicar of St Symphorian’s Church in Durrington. I was a Trustee for almost five years, and took part in the Winter SleepOut a few years ago. Prior to my move to St Bartholomew’s Church, the skydive was going to be my swan song as I moved away from Worthing and stepped down as trustee. Along with Father Mark who has always supported the charity too, it was a great way to keep the link alive between church and charity – we set up a joint fundraising page under the name ‘Parachuting Priests’!”
"This will be a first for me jumping out of a plane. Part of me is very much looking forward to it, I think I'll rather enjoy it once the parachute opens but the moment of actually jumping out of the plane is one that does fill me with terror I must admit.
"We forget, or possibly don't know, just how close each of us is to homelessness. It really doesn't take a lot to end up without a home, and at a time when purses are being tightened, charities like Turning Tides need support more than ever".
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic last year, Turning Tides supported more than 900 local people experiencing homelessness, a record number.