Hospice charity Autumn Firewalk returns, coals a’blazing

CHALLENGE your inner adrenaline-seeker at an Autumn Firewalk event this October, hosted by local Hastingwood-based charity, St Clare Hospice.

On Sunday 27th October 2019, the West Essex and East Herts hospice will challenge up to forty local people to cross the hot coals in aid of their cause. Are you brave enough to face the flames?

Emma Broadbent, Challenges & Events Fundraiser at St Clare Hospice, said: “Are you worried about being troubled by chilly toes this autumn? Want to warm your feet by the fire? What better way to get toasty than by entering the St Clare Autumn Firewalk! Not only will you keep the chill off as the weather turns cooler, you will also help to raise a scorching hot amount for your local hospice. We can’t think of anything hotter!”

Based at the Hospice itself, in Hastingwood, Essex, St Clare supporters will line up to walk barefoot over red-hot wood embers, smouldering at over 800 degrees Fahrenheit, to raise vital funds for the charity.

Amongst this year’s walkers is avid St Clare supporter, Terry Mackay, who will brave the coals for the second time on 27th October. Terry commented: “I walked over red-hot coals at St Clare’s Autumn Firewalk in October 2018 – and I’m coming back to the Hospice to do it again this year! I’m coming back for a second time to help raise vital funds for St Clare Hospice. My son, Daniel, is also doing it with me – so that makes it even better!”

Commenting on the experience, Terry said, “The heat that you feel on your feet when doing the Firewalk is nowhere near as bad as what you might experience when walking on a hot beach on holiday! You can, of course, feel the heat – but it doesn’t hurt. It is just learning to control your mind, as your instincts are telling you not to walk across red-hot wood embers! However, you get such an amazing adrenaline rush when you do it – it’s amazing!”

The St Clare Autumn Firewalk will be hosted from 3.30pm to 6.00pm at St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road, CM17 9JX. On the day, participants can enjoy an interactive workshop to get them ready for the Firewalk, before taking on the hot coals at the end of the afternoon.

Registration is £25 per person and St Clare asks participants to pledge to raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship. The event is open to all ages, but under 18s must have signed parental permission to walk. Participants can sign up for the event in advance, or on the day from 3pm. Places are limited to 40 people.
For more information and to sign-up for the event visit: stclarehospice.org.uk/autumn-firewalk or contact Emma Broadbent on 01279 773754 or [email protected]