A BARRHEAD minister will take the plunge for charity this summer...by abseiling down the Forth Bridge.

The Reverend Pamela Gordon, minister at Bourock Parish Church for the last four years, will take on the hair-raising challenge in aid of CrossReach, which provides care for some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland.

She told the Barrhead News: “There is an element of craziness about it, I admit. 

“I’ve done sponsored swims in the past but they required a bit of preparation. With an abseil, you just turn up on the day, someone shows you what to do and you do it.

“The hardest part is the letting go.

“About three years ago, I abseiled down the Finnieston Crane for the Glasgow City Mission but that’s about it in terms of a thrill-seeking past.

“Having said that, I’m the youngest of three children and the only female, so I think there’s always been something in me that says ‘don’t just be the nice girl that others might think you should be’.

“I think I might just keep my eyes shut for this challenge, though.”
Pamela’s fundraising abseil on Sunday, July 1, will support the work of a Church of Scotland organisation which provides a range of more than 20 services to people in Barrhead, across East Renfrewshire and throughout Scotland.

She already has direct experience of helping others in need, in addition to her ministry work with her Bourock congregation.

Pamela also set up the Memory Lane project at the St Andrew’s Church Hall in Barrhead’s Main Street, and heads up the Paisley and Greenock Presbytery’s community interest committee.

She added: “The services provided by CrossReach include supporting children and families, older people and those living with substance abuse, learning disabilities and mental health issues. 

“I am asking people to support me by making a cash donation. Any amount is welcome but, to give some examples of how donations will make an impact, £5 will help provide tea and coffee in CrossReach’s Prisoner Support Centre, £10 will help towards a counselling session for a child in need and £30 will cover the cost of transport for a family attending one of CrossReach’s counselling services.

“All of the money stays in Scotland.”

You can donate to Pamela’s fundraising drive online at justgiving.com/fundraising/Pamela-Gordon2.

More information about CrossReach – which was formerly known as the Church of Scotland’s board of social responsibility – can be found at crossreach.org.uk.