A Belfast-based priest will take a leap of faith, quite literally, later this week when he jumps 15,000ft from a plane.
Fr Conor McGrath, parish priest of St Colmcille’s in Ballyhackamore and vocations director for the Diocese of Down and Connor, is set to experience the rush of the freefall when he takes part in a charity skydive.
It is part of an event organised by Derry-based international development charity Children in Crossfire.
The priest is among 12 plucky participants who will jump from a plane and descend 15,000 feet – the highest jump available in Ireland.
The event is due to take place at Skydive Ireland in Garvagh, Co Derry on June 24.
Fr McGrath said his nerves are already setting in ahead of the jump.
"I've told too many people about it now to be able to back out," he joked.
"But I imagine it will be a terrifying, as well as a fantastic experience."
Fr McGrath said he had been discussing skydives with a friend when the opportunity to take part in the Children in Crossfire event arose, which he described as "too much of a coincidence".
“A few weeks ago, I received a rather unexpected email from Children in Crossfire, a charity whose work I greatly admire, inviting me to take part in a skydive to help them raise funds for their healthcare and education programmes in Ethiopia and Tanzania," he said.
“I immediately replied telling them to count me in – and was even able to coax my friend and colleague Brother Francesco to sign up too.
"We are both very much looking forward to what is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
"The less said about how terrifying it might be to jump from a plane at 15,000 feet the better."
Fr McGrath, who met Children in Crossfire chief executive Richard Moore ahead of the jump, said he is delighted to be able to help raise funds for the charity.
"It is for such a great cause and Richard Moore is an inspirational man, so I am delighted to be involved," he said.
“What really matters to us is that we raise plenty of funds for programmes that support some of the most vulnerable children in the world. It is humbling to see the deep kindness of friends in my congregation and community.
"There is an unrivalled spirit of generosity in Belfast and a sense of solidarity everyone should take pride in.
“I am genuinely excited for my skydive, and proud to be doing it for a cause as respected as Children in Crossfire.”
Mr Moore said: "I was delighted to meet Fr Conor to thank him in person for supporting Children in Crossfire through our skydive.
Taking on this challenge takes genuine courage and I commend Brother Francesco and him for their bravery.
"I know they signed up because they share Children in Crossfire’s vision of a fairer world where we work together to achieve real and lasting improvements in the lives of children who deserve our care and compassion.
“I told Fr Conor about children and families I met during a visit to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia late last year.
"They had been displaced to Addis because of the horrific conflict that was then raging.
"One child’s story in particular has stayed with me ever since: a six-year-old girl who was living with her aunt because her mother, three siblings and grandparents were all executed during a massacre in her village.
"Children in Crossfire are deeply proud that we have been able to support that child, and others in similar circumstances, thanks to the kindness of our supporters.
“I urged Fr Conor to think of that child’s story when they are at 15,000 feet next Saturday, and to keep in mind the wonderful difference money they raise from their skydive will make.
"We are very grateful to both of them and to everyone who is supporting them.”