Teddington Vicar to parachute jump for funds

Daredevil Vicar David Cloake plans to parachute jump 12,000ft on 30th May to raise money to help build vital facilities for Teddington’s St Marks Church.

With planning permission running out in in December this year, the church community have been fundraising against the clock to raise £1m to equip the historic parish church with much-needed facilities to make it truly welcoming for all.

The new facilities (including community space, kitchenette and the 800 year old building’s first toilets) will ensure the church’s long term sustainability through volunteering, outreach, participation and accessibility.

St Mary with St Alban Church

52-year-old Father David has been vicar in Teddington for 15 months. In typical fashion, he has thrown himself into this dangerous challenge to kick off the final £350K fundraising needed to make these facilities a reality.

Inspired by the impending planning deadline and the upcoming post-Easter Ascension, Father David will travel to Headcorn in Kent on Friday 30th May, and climb to a height of 12,000ft to complete his tandem parachute jump. While not a fan of conventional sports like running, intrepid father-of two David considers himself a bit of a daredevil - he says he has tried Paragliding (loved it) and says he would have considered a Bungee Jump or abseiling down the side of Teddington’s imposing Landmark Centre.

Father David’s jump will be celebrated by local figures, family, friends and the community at a Watch Party at Teddington Parish Hall the day after the jump on Saturday 1 June.

To donate, visit Father David’s fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/fatherdavid

For tickets to the Watch event visit: https://www.teddingtonparish.org/news/parachute-jump/

For more information on the Building project: https://www.teddingtonparish.org/facilities-for-all/ or email future@teddingtonparish.org