Firewalk fundraiser

12:33pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

A TEAM of 31 brave souls hot footed it to an event in Hopwood to raise thousands of pounds for a good cause.

Participants travelled from all over the Midlands to the Westmead Hotel to cross a walkway of burning embers measuring 800 degrees centigrade for the very first Barnardo's Believe Fire Walk Event and raised over £4,000 for local children.

Jon Tandy, 31, a software sales manager from Birming-ham, said: "Doing a fire walk and raising money for a charity was perfect.

"The night was great and the training must have been first class because I went first."

Sponsor money is still coming in from supporters but it is thought that the final tally will exceed £4,000 for Barnardo's.

Money raised from events like the Barnardo's Believe Fire Walk help fund the charity's work to support children, young people and families in communities.

Barnardo's work includes help to tackle problems such as poverty, abuse, homelessness, disability and life limiting illness.

There are 50 community based projects run by Barnardo's in the Midlands including the Worcestershire Short Breaks service which provide breaks for disabled children and their families.

Sarah Bowron, from Barnardo's fundraising team, said: It's the first time we've held a fire walk event and it was a huge success.

"We've had some amazing feedback from people who took part saying how it's had a lasting effect on them.

"There are so many charity fundraising challenges and events nowadays that we wanted to put on something really different that people of all ages and fitness levels could do.

"We're definitely going to organise more Barnardo's Believe Fire Walk events in future."

To find out more about future events or fundraising, call Sarah Bowron on 0121 360 5768.

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