Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Mark offers Amy a lift for charity firewalk challenge
‘I’ve been a firefighter in Kent for 20 years and the role is diverse to say the least, but this is a first’
A fireman has come to the rescue of a double amputee who feared her false legs would melt during a charity firewalk.
Mum-of-two Amy Morris is not shy of a challenge, but the thought of crossing red hot coals on her prosthetics put her off tackling the Pilgrims Hospice fundraiser.
But Canterbury station watch manager Mark Jones has offered to carry her across the flaming footpath in a unique team effort.
Hospice volunteer Amy, who lost her legs after contracting meningitis when she was 17, said: “I love to get involved with fundraising but I said ‘this one is not for me, my artificial legs will melt’.
“With that, our fundraising manager Deborah Kellond was in contact with Kent Fire and Rescue Service asking for a volunteer to carry me over the flames.”
And it was Mark Jones, whose mum also volunteers at the hospice, who stepped up to the barefoot challenge.
“I’ve been a firefighter in Kent for 20 years and the role is diverse to say the least, but this is a first,” he said. “A firewalk has been on my bucket list of things to do for a while so I was really up for this challenge.
“I am very proud to be contributing and having the opportunity to share Amy’s firewalk experience.”
Mark will be raising sponsorship through Justgiving for the Pilgrims Hospice and the Firemen’s Charity.
Amy, 34, who lives in Sturry, said: “As my boys are at school, I’ve decided to give some of my free time to this amazing organisation and have been a volunteer for about three years.
“I’m really excited and quite nervous about doing this challenge with Mark.
“He has assured me that we will both be completely safe and he will not be hanging around on the walk.”
The firewalk takes place at the University of Kent on Friday, March 3, but is fully booked.
To find out about others in the area visit www.pilgrimshospices. org.