The sight of people abseiling down to earth from 118 feet up caught the eyes in Long Melford.
More than £15,000 was raised for Holy Trinity Church during a sponsored abseil, which was run by the 1st Long Melford Scouts, over the bank holiday weekend.
Around 140 people – the youngest aged eight and the oldest 77 – took part, watched on by an estimated 1,500 spectators across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Church trustee Judi Moss paid tribute to organiser Lynda Badger, rector Matthew Lawson and all the scouts, participants, volunteers and supporters.
“It was so good and really well attended,” she said. “In total, we had 140 brave souls taking part in the abseil.
“LeeStock Music Festival was going on in the field behind the church, which resulted in walk-ins by people who had seen strange things going on at the top of the tower from their campsite and decided to find out what was happening and join in, which was brilliant.
“We are still having some people donate after the event, which is a very welcome boost to funds.
“All in all, it was a terrific and much-talked about community event.”
Vicky Stebbings, who took part with members of her Slimming World groups, added: “It was such a well organised event, with so many people giving up their bank holiday.
“My members from Long Melford and Great Waldingfield swimming world were all a little nervous, but excited too.
“Many of them would not have done this prior to healthy eating and losing weight. I decided to abseil first, to kick the event off and show my members that it was safe
“I am so proud of my team and they are really proud of themselves, so they should be. It was a pleasure to raise money for the Holy Trinity Church.”
