Volunteers hot-foot it for charity
A CROWD of enthusiast volunteers were literally ‘fired-up’ to raise money for the East Cheshire Hospice recently.
The 40-strong group took part in the annual Firewalk, attempting to walk across 20 feet of hot coals burning at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit in their bare feet.
One member of the group, Gill Tomlinson, said the experience was “nothing short of amazing” and has already agreed to do it again next year.
“We had a two-hour inspirational talk from the organiser Cliff Mann before the actual firewalk and by the time it came to do it, we were so excited and enthusiastic we felt we could do anything,” says Gill who has been working as a physiotherapy assistant at the Sunflower Centre for the past seven years.
“The walk itself only lasted a few seconds but I was so hyped up that if someone had asked me to do a bungee jump there and then, I’m pretty sure I would have done it,” says Gill, 52.
“It was an amazing experience.”
Gill, of Kenilworth Road in Macclesfield, has raised £400 from sponsorship by family and friends and the event has raised around £4000 in total for the hospice.
Next year, Gill says she hopes to be joined by her daughters Joanne and Georgia and husband Dave who all helped to fundraise this year.
“I’m not taking no for an answer – I’m sure they’ll love every minute of it,” she says.