Minister goes over the top

Rev Dr David Latimer, Minister of First Derry Presbyterian Church, and Fr Eamonn Graham, Parish Priest of Banagher, put their faith in a slender rope as they abseiled down the face of the Austin’s building in the Diamond to raise money and awareness of Parkinsons Disease.

Speaking after the hair-raising experience, Dr Latimer said it has been “scary”.

“We did the abseil on Saturday and it was scary. From the ground looking up it looks fine, but when you are at the very top of the Austin’s building with your legs and your bottom out over the edge it is a different story,” he siad.

Dr Latimer revealed that an imaginative way had been sought to raise awareness of Parkinsons Disease.

“It is one of those illnesses that does not just effect old people it also effects the lives of one in every 20 people under the age of 40,” he said.

Asked what the atmosphere was like when he went over the edge of the roof on the decorative and iconic Londonderry building, Dr Latimer said there had been “almost an Olympic atmosphere” with the shouts from the crowd below.

Accompanied for the stunt by Fr Eamon and people from families coping with Parkinsons and charity members, he described the day as “a great success”.

“I raised nearly £500 and I want to thank people for their generosity particularly given the economic times.”