Feel Good Festival: Bride to be plunges 190ft... for charity!

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Bride to be Emma Metcalfe starts her 190ft abseil down the town hall clock tower

Bride to be Emma Metcalfe started her wedding day off in a spectacular way this morning (Saturday 20 August) by abseiling 190ft down the town hall clock tower.

Emma made her way up the 100 stone steps to the tower shortly after 9am and took the plunge to help raise money for Gateway, Rochdale.

Emma said: "I am part of the charity committee at Riverside and volunteered to do the abseil."

The committee is raising money for Gateway, the armed forces and cared for children. 

Once at the top of the tower, Emma was suspended over the town hall car park before abseiling 190ft - the only way off being down!

After her climb Emma said: "It was exciting and exhilarating and I am really glad I did it."

Once her feet were firmly on the ground Emma was whisked away to prepare for her wedding ceremony which took place at 2pm at St James Church in Ashworth.

Helen Leach who was responsible for organising the abseil said: "The support has been great and people have raised more than we asked them to. We are hoping to hit anywhere between £7,500 and £10,000."

Money raised from the abseil will go towards buying an accessible mini bus for Gateway.

Helen, who has a son with autism, added: "Gateway does a lot for adults and children with learning difficulties so it would be great if we could get this bus for them."

The bus will cost almost £50,000.

Anyone who wants to get involved with helping Number One Riverside - Giving Back with fund raising should contact Rochdale Council.