Priest takes 'leap of faith' for SVP

Fr Clive in freefall

Fr Clive Lee, parish priest at St Thomas More's Church in Manor House, north London, finally did his tandem skydive from 12,000 feet, on 24 February, to raise funds for the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP).

The jump was originally planned for December, but the weather was so bad, it had to be cancelled several times. On one occasion Fr Clive got to the aerodrome but was told at the last moment that it was too dangerous to jump. When he did eventually leap out of the plane, he said he felt terrified. "Some people say they enjoy the experience once they have jumped out of the plane - but I must say I didn't! I was very glad to be on the ground again."

The SVP works around the year to fight against poverty. With 10,000 members across the UK, last year they provided household goods to 6,729 beneficiaries. SVP Soup Runs bring food to more than 32,000 homeless people each year.

The charity runs 32 community shops in areas of high deprivation, which provide work experience and training to unemployed people. Other work includes visiting care homes, hostels and prisons; debt advice, and providing holidays for children and families.

To sponsor Fr Clive's skydive for the SVP visit: www.justgiving.com/frclive