Participants in this year's Over the Edge event make their way down the side of the Brady Sullivan building. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

MANCHESTER – With her mother nervously looking on, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) rappelled down the Brady Sullivan building during the ninth annual Over the Edge event hosted by the United Way of Greater Nashua.

Towering 259 feet over Elm Street, the 24-floor Brady Sullivan building is the second tallest in New Hampshire.

“There’s nothing quite like it,” Goodlander said after her descent on June 23, adding that she had never seen the Merrimack River from that vantage point.

She said the most nerve-racking part was standing on the edge of the roof believing that her safety harness was broken. She was also initially unable to use the rappeler.

“I was 10 out of 10 in panic mode,” said Goodlander.

The view looking up at the Brady Sullivan building, the second tallest in New Hampshire. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

However, she was able to shake off the nerves and is looking forward to next year’s event.

Joining Goodlander was Christina Hurley, founder of Leg Less More Heart.

Diagnosed with Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome, Hurley lost her left leg below the knee in July 2016.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome occurs when the popliteal artery, the main artery for the lower body, is compressed by muscles behind the knee, restricting blood flow through the legs.”

It is estimated that the disease affects less than one percent of the American population.

The Lofts at Mill West as seen from the roof the Brady Sullivan building. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

Three years after her amputation, Hurley launched Leg Less More Heart to address the needs of other amputees, which, at the time, were not being met.

Prior to Over the Edge, Hurley said she would wear a Spiderman costume to the event if she raised $2,000. She reached her goal with just hours to spare. Hurley said 20 percent of the funds will go to the United Way of Greater Nashua and 80 percent will go to her organization.

Given what she has endured during the past decade, Hurley said she was confident rappelling down the building.

“My days of doubting myself are done,” she said. “This isn’t about proving something to myself, it’s about showing others what’s possible.”

Michael Apfelberg, president of the United Way of Greater Nashua, said this is the first time Over the Edge has raised more than $200,000, adding that there were 105 participants and 1,750 donors.

Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) (right) and Christina Hurley, founder of Leg Less More Heart, after rappelling down the Brady Sullivan building during the ninth annual Over the Edge event hosted by the United Way of Greater Nashua on June 23. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

“It’s a big event this year,” he said.

Apfelberg also felt positive about Goodlander and Hurley rappelling together.

“Congresswoman Goodlander just stepped right up,” he said. “I put the two of them together and they hit it off well.”