Plucky fundraisers are taking a leap of faith for a local charity by abseiling 90 ft down Coventry Cathedral next month - and if you look closely you might spot a zebra!

The 12 daring volunteers will be descending from the top of the cathedral, all in aid of Feed The Hungry UK and Coventry Foodbank.

Canon Gavin Kibble MBE is donning a zebra onesie and joining the rest of the fundraisers for the charity challenge, organised by the Cathedral, on Saturday 19 July.

A Canon of Coventry Cathedral, Gavin founded the Foodbank 15 years ago and, and, after merging the charity with Feed the Hungry in 2021, became CEO in 2025.

He said: “Throwing myself off the side of Coventry Cathedral was definitely not part of my life plan, but after speaking to our charity’s partner in Southern Ukraine, I felt I had to do something. He explained to me about the refugee situation there and that its organisation was still feeding hundreds of families who have lost everything in this tragic war.

“So I’m just making a simple request: Please sponsor me to abseil down the cathedral in a zebra onesie! With this money we can buy food to help this situation.”

Other fundraisers gearing up for the big drop include Rev Gareth Irvine, of St Laurence’ Church in Foleshill, home to one of Coventry Foodbank’s 15 hubs since the pandemic.

He said: “More than five years on, the Hope Hub at St Laurence’s continues to support families, couples and individuals in need of a helping hand on a weekly basis every Tuesday with emergency food parcels. 

“Demand has continued to grow through the cost of living crisis, and it’s needed more than ever! If I ever found myself in a situation where I couldn’t feed my own family, I’d like to hope that something like a foodbank would be available to help me. It’s one way the local church can partner with local charities like the Foodbank.”

For 46-year-old Verona O’Leary, from Wyken, the challenge will have special meaning, taking place in the month that marks the year anniversary of her late father’s death. James O’Leary was a well-known charity champion in the city he called home for more than 60 years.

Veronica said: “I’m doing this in dad’s memory. The closest I've done to anything like this is walking up the cathedral spire once. Oh, and I've been to Go Ape!”

Coventry Cathedral is most famously known for being bombed during WW2, which left it, and much of the city centre, in ruins. Its destruction touched the hearts of many countries around the world, who contributed and gifted elements of the building of the New Cathedral. The decision to leave the Ruins as they were after the Blitz became a powerful global symbol of peace building and forgiving enemies. Standing in union with the New Cathedral, the two cathedrals stand as a powerful symbol of peace across nations.

The day will include free entry to the Blitz Museum, Coventry Cathedral and Ruins, plus stalls, visiting choirs and children’s activities. For those who wish to learn more about the charity, Coventry Foodbank will also have an activity tent set up in the Old Cathedral Grounds between 9.30am and 4.30pm on the day.

Support Gavin’s abseil with donations here.

Image: A mock-up of Gavin abseiling down the Cathedral