SOMERSET NEWS: Firewalk challenge for daring fundraisers

THE heat was definitely on last week for people helping to raise money for the nominated charities of the Somerset County Council chairman.

Cllr David Fothergill joined over 40 people who put their best foot forward and braved the heat for a unique Charity Challenge on Thursday, November 6, 2014, at Taunton’s Wyvern Club.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Organisers prepare the walk of hot coals at Taunton's Wyvern Club.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Chairman of Somerset County Council, Cllr David Fothergill, walks the walk.

The courageous charity champions took part in a firewalk and between them raised in the region of £2,000 for two charities - The National Autistic Society and the Somerset Trust for Arts and Recreation (STAR).

As the name suggests, a firewalk involves walking bare foot over red-hot wood embers with the heat reaching up to 800 degrees.

Cllr Fothergill, after doing the firewalk himself, said: “Looking along 15ft of burning coals and taking the decision to walk takes an awful lot of courage!

“I am delighted that all 43 Firewalkers successfully completed the challenge. It was a great achievement and they should be very proud of themselves.”

The chairman launched the Somerset Chairman’s Charity Appeal last September which aimed to raise £50,000 over four years for the National Autistic Society and STAR.

It was announced in September this year that £25,000 had been raised in just one year!

PHOTOS: Concentration, pained expressions and words of encouragment from on-lookers as some of the volunteers take part in the fundraising firewalk at the Wyvern Club in Taunton.

PHOTOS - ABOVE: More firewalk volunteers helping to raise money for the Somerset County Council chairman's Charity Challenge.

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