Trainee minister makes long postponed leap of faith, all in a good cause

A trainee minister has succeeded in making his own much delayed leap of faith, in the process raising hundreds of pounds for a charity that is dear to his heart.

Tommy MacGregor from Dingwall faced what he acknowledges is his biggest fear – heights – to abseil 131 ft from the top of the Northern Lights Tower at the Kings Church in Aberdeen.

His adrenaline-charged adventure was originally planned for May, but called off at short notice because of unfavourable weather.

"It was a huge relief to finally get it done," Mr MacGregor said.

However, as someone who admits to a fear of heights, his descent from the Northern Lights Tower is more enjoyable to look back on than it was to experience.

"I was absolutely terrified, but glad to do it," he said.

"The worst bit was climbing over the side. I'm a bit weaker on my left-hand side and that's the side we went over. They said I could try going over on my right-hand side, but that didn't work so I just pressed on and went over on my left side."

Because of the overhang, Mr MacGregor was not in contact with the tower as he was lowered to the ground, but did not pause to take in this unique view of the Granite City.

"I didn't hang about. I wanted to get down as quickly as possible," he said.

Around 20 other amateur adventurers participated in the challenge with Aberdeen Abseil on the day, raising money for a number of good causes.

Giving back support

Mr MacGregor, who is currently in the final weeks of his probationary placement at Kinmylies Parish Church in Inverness, pushed himself out of his comfort zone to support Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland, a charity he feels a very personal connection with.

"I was born with spina bifida and developed hydrocephalus as a result," he explained.

"Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland have always been there to support me. Fortunately, I have never really needed them, but it is reassuring to know they are there if I do.

"I saw this and thought it would be a good challenge for myself and give me a chance to support them."

Money is still coming in via Mr MacGregor's JustGiving web page, which is open to new donations.

His home congregation at Ferintosh Church has also been very supportive, raising a collection to support his efforts, and he is now on target to exceed £1,500 – seven times his initial JustGiving target of £200.

Together with the donations from the other abseilers, SBH Scotland expects to raise between £20,000 and £22,000 which will be used to support people with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and enable them to have the highest quality of life possible.

"Having done it, people are asking if I would do it again," Mr MacGregor revealed.

"I've thought about that and the answer is that I probably would, but not for a while. I want to give myself some time to recover from this one."

In the meantime, Mr MacGregor will be looking forward to another challenge as he looks for his first charge as a qualified minister.

A trained dental nurse and NHS dental tutor, Mr MacGregor first thought about entering the ministry 20 years ago.

"But I'm quite a shy person and at the time I thought I wouldn't be able to do it so I reluctantly withdrew from the process," he said.

However, with the encouragement of his minister at Ferintosh, Rev Stephen Macdonald, he reapplied and is now at the point where he can begin looking for a church of his own.

"It's exciting times and I am really looking forward to it," he said.

"I feel it will be parish ministry I am called to. I do a day a week at Highland Hospice as a volunteer chaplain. That interests me as well, but I'm not sure I would like to do that full-time."

To support Mr MacGregor in raising funds for SBH Scotland, you can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/page/thomas-macgregor-1709398467500