revealed 29 February 2024
Learn for five minutes
A courageous minister goes to heaven to fund an Ayrshire neighborhood choir’s journey to the US.
The Rev. Jill Clancy hopes to really feel nearer to God when she jumps from a aircraft at 10,000 ft to boost cash for the “Songs for All” group, which hopes to take part in New York Metropolis Tartan Week.
The sponsored tandem skydive bounce over the skies of Fife will see him free-fall for round 30 seconds at speeds of as much as 120mph earlier than his parachute prompts.
The hair-raising bounce is one ingredient of an action-packed weekend (Could 10-12) as choir conductors line as much as elevate cash.
The minister plans to go for a wild swim off the coast of Irvine and stroll a 10-mile loop round Nice Cambrai Island.
Mrs Clancy, a multi-faith chaplaincy staff facilitator at HMP Berliney in Glasgow, stated she was excited and looking out ahead to the trio of challenges.
He stated he hoped to contribute closely to the aim of elevating sufficient cash to fly 40 choir members to New York Metropolis to signify Ayrshire in April 2025.
The 53-year-old, who has launched a web based fundraising web page, stated it’s estimated it is going to price £1,000 per member.
She revealed that she had dreamed of skydiving for a very long time however her weight prohibited her.
leap of religion
Mrs Clancy, of Galston, East Ayrshire, defined: “I’ve all the time needed to leap out of a aircraft however I used to be too heavy to qualify underneath the rules.
“My life modified in 2020 when my knee gave means and I sought therapy and was instructed I must have an operation.
“I could not work and I seemed within the mirror and noticed an previous, crippled 50-year-old and I did not wish to be that individual and lose the job I liked.
“I joined Slimming World in Galston and began an consuming plan and began shedding pounds.
“It was a marathon moderately than a dash however I really feel a lot happier and more healthy now and I lastly do not want an operation.
“Once we had been fascinated with all of the alternative ways we might elevate cash for Tartan Week, I spotted I might go skydiving now that I’ve misplaced seven stone in lower than three years.”
Ms Clancy, referred to as DJ Jolly Jilly as she ran the radio station at HMP Berlin through the first months of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, stated she was not afraid of heights.
“I am actually wanting ahead to it as a result of I really like flying however I am glad it is a tandem bounce as a result of I want somebody with me to provide me that wee nudge to get off the aircraft,” he added.
Ms Clancy, who was 18st 6lb at her heaviest, stated she seemed out the window as she soared above the clouds and marveled at God’s creation.
“I simply love wanting down and seeing the sweetness beneath us, it fascinates me,” he added.
“The fields are all squares, the communities of homes and the streets – every little thing is so structured and deliberate.
“Once I go searching, whether or not on the bottom or within the sky, I thank God for His good creation and it fills me with marvel for who He’s and the sweetness He has given us.
“We take a lot as a right, we’ve got a lot however so many people spend an excessive amount of time indoors telephones and tablets and needs to be outdoors extra and marveling at the great thing about creation – the panorama and all of God’s creation.
“Losing a few pounds has given me extra vitality and a unique perspective on life and I thank God for that, I thank God for all times.”
On the streets of Manhattan
Ms Clancy stated wild swimming was one in every of her hobbies, together with strolling, ballroom and Latin dancing.
“I am wanting ahead to swimming and so long as my inside self tells me it is time to get again on dry land, I will be out,” he added.
“I really like strolling with my black labrador Freddie in hail, rain or snow and I’ve walked Nice Cumbria earlier than in help of Ayrshire Hospice so I am wanting ahead to doing it once more.”
Based mostly in Galston, Songs for All was based in 2014 and members vary in age from 11 to 82.
All seven members are underneath the age of 21 and all of them want to transfer to New York subsequent 12 months to sing with different singers on the streets of Manhattan and in native church buildings.
The choir is made up of members from native cities and villages in Ayrshire, the congregations of Mauchline, Tarbolton, Annbank and Galston they usually put on pink tartan scarves made by Prickly Thistle, a weaving firm based mostly in Evanston, Easter Ross.
They’ve a variety of Scottish music for Tartan Week starting from “A Pink, Pink Rose” by Robert Burns, “Somebody You Cherished” by Lewis Capaldi and “Caledonia” by Dougie McLean.
Mrs Clancy stated: “The choir is a really constructive factor and the older members love being with the youthful members and vice versa.
“Getting collectively and singing has many advantages, it helps our psychological well-being and combats loneliness and isolation.
“We’re an intergenerational group who sing collectively, encourage, assist, be taught and luxuriate in one another’s firm each week.”
Wee household
Ms Clancy stated singing had a transformative impact.
“Whenever you come out you are a unique individual, you are energized and also you’re joyful,” he provides.
“Singing takes you away from the troubles and stress that life throws at you.
“One in all our members lives with dementia and he’s supported each week by one in every of our youngest members they usually each get so much out of it.
“You needn’t audition to be a member, it gives nice staff constructing and the friendships are significant and actual, we name ourselves a wee household.
“It has been a incredible expertise and a pleasure, certainly one of many proudest issues in my life.”
In March 2023, the choir received first place on the Ayrshire Musical Competition.
It plans to launch an album this 12 months to mark its tenth anniversary.
