OUR mayor was dubbed Captain Risky - not for the feat he was about to undertake, but for the costume he wore as he abseiled down Rydges Hotel Port Macquarie on Friday.
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Sixteen adventurous members of the community leapt for their lives in aid of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) by descending from a nine storey height.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council mayor Peter Besseling's wore a flowing red curly wig and a Rasputin-like red beard.
"I love the fact that no one can recognise me," Cr Besseling said.
"It was a lot of fun and a great way to raise money for a very worthwhile cause," he said from the safety of the pool deck.
"I've never done it before, but it's great to show the Port Macquarie-Hastings community really gets behind the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. It's good to give something back because they do so much for our area."
Richard Jones, WRHS general manager Hunter region, who also took the plunge, gratefully accepted a check for $1000 from council.
Eather Recruitment general manager Ivana Agapiou said: "I thought I was really confident until I looked down, then I lost confidence, but then I got my confidence back".
"But 15 minutes after I landed at base camp, I got PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder], and I shook all over. But the vodka martini is a cure."
Asked if she will ever do anything like that again, her answer was a firm "never".
Port News digital media specialist Sue Cannon said when she first looked over it was really high, but she felt comfortable.
"With Sam's [Dalton] guidance and the way he explained how he had me and he said 'I've got you, everything's going to be okay', I just looked at him and went over the edge."
As she was one of the people who had been the most petrified of taking the plunge, it was a surprise to hear her say she would do it again.
Although Senior Constable Steve Cherry was dressed as Superman, his descent was anything but smooth.
"After I swung into a balcony and smashed into the pot plant I was a bit out of control, but I think the curvature of the building might have been a bit off-putting," he said.
"It was a nice thing to do, so I just enjoyed the view, but when I got to the bottom I didn't realise how high my heart rate had gone up. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is something we all need and we rely on it here on the Mid-North Coast."
The total raised had risen to $25,374.07 yesterday and you can still donate at leadersleapforlife.gofundraise.com.au
