It all started when my editor suggested that I should take part in a firewalk for the local hospice but I agreed. I raised much needed funds for the charity and confronted my fears. It was definitely a mind over matter moment but I survived. There was even a first person piece describing how I confronted my fears.

SIXTEEN volunteers walked across red-hot coals to raise funds for St Catherine’s Hospice in Scarborough.

Organisers measured the temperature at more than 500 degrees centigrade – five times the boiling point of water – and the embers covered a distance of 15 feet.

Participants included hospice employees, people who wanted to raise funds for a good cause, councillors and even an Evening News reporter.

They were given a one-hour talk before the event by organisers, Carlisle-based UK Firewalk, which explained what exactly would be involved.

Hayley Newton, a hospice fundraising assistant, said she hoped the event would raise almost £2500. She would have liked to take part but she had already completed a parachute jump for the charity. She said: “It’s not fair asking the same people twice.”

A crowd of well wishers gathered at the hospice in Throxenby Lane as the participants prepared to complete the firewalk.

Dave Kipling, 40, of Scalby Road, said his wife worked for the hospice and this was one of the easier ways of raising funds. He said: “I thought I would feel the heat. I am really glad I have done it.”

Fellow participant Pam Jones, a chef manager at the hospice, also successfully completed the firewalk. She said: “By the time I’d finished the talk I was more nervous. But when I’d completed it, it was great, you felt like you’d really achieved something.”

Cllr Jane Kenyon, said she took part in the firewalk as a thank you for the care provided to her mother, Lady Doreen Kenyon, after she was diagnosed with cancer.

She said: “I was confident to do it. I was more nervous coming to it because I’d never seen it before. It was fear of the unknown.”

Scott Bell, of UK Firewalk, said the event had been really good and 70 per cent of his events were for good causes. He said: “It’s been a really good night and I am really pleased.”

Trail blazers:

• Firewalking is the act of walking barefoot over a bed of hot embers or stones;
• It has a long history in many cultures as a test or proof of faith, and is also used in modern motivational seminars and fund-raising events;
• Firewalking is practiced by African-born Hindus, by Eastern Orthodox Christians in parts of Greece and Bulgaria, the Kung bushmen of the African Kalahari desert, Japanese Taoists and Buddhists and tribes throughout Polynesia;
• It has existed for a few thousand of years and the earliest recorded firewalk dates back to 1200BC;
• Scott Bell holds the world record for the longest firewalk after he walked 328 feet in Wuxi, China on November 28, 2006.

Do the fire walk with me

WHAT had I let myself in for? It seemed like a good idea when my editor asked if I fancied walking on fire but it was a different story nervously looking out of the window at the roaring flames.

I had visions of barbecued feet and blistered toes – it is no secret that I have very sensitive feet.

The history of firewalking probably dates back to prehistoric times and has several mentions in the bible. In certain cultures it is treated as a rite of passage or annual festival.

Organiser Scott Bell tried to put everyone at ease, by explaining why it was possible to walk across fire, but I have to admit there was still a nagging voice at the back of my head saying “you mad fool”.

This was hammered home when we were asked to sign a liability release form. Scott was at pains to stress that the only injury he had experienced was a blister during one of his world record attempts.

He also explained, in scientific terms, why we would not be burned but I have to admit I was still a little bit dubious.

I was still questioning my motives for doing this as we were led outside and the heat of the coals hit us in the face.

Scott demonstrated it was possible by walking across the 15ft of red embers and we dutifully formed a line with yours truly comfortably at the back.

One by one the volunteers boldly took their turn to walk and I was impressed with their efforts and bravery – then I was the only one left.

Even though there was a sizable crowd encouraging me it felt very lonely staring at the smoking runway with nowhere to run. Biting the bullet I launched myself forward and firmly planted a foot on the burning coals.

However, my foot did not become engulfed in flames it just felt warm and in five or six steps, and a few seconds, it was all over – I had done what seemed impossible as I had walked on fire.

I felt elated and could not wait to have another go and in total I walked across the fire four times and I even got the T-shirt.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Monday, September 24, 2007.