Springhill Hospice Firewalk Challenge

Date published: 25/10/2004

It’s fun, it’s for a good cause, and it’s burning your feet at a mere 1236F!

The Springhill Hospice Firewalk Challenge was held at the Rochdale Football Club on Sunday 24 October, where hundreds arrived to see their friends walk over a path of burning wood embers. If that doesn’t sound painful enough, the contestants took on the challenge barefoot!

After undergoing a comprehensive and intense training course rightfully named "Learn or Burn", just under 40 fundraisers took on the challenge with confidence as their families looked on in disbelief.

Jo Marriot from Blaze explained how Firewalking is mind over matter. "It’s about your state of mind, if they get over the initial fear, the rest is easy."  So there is the psychological approach, but what about the damage it could cause? Jo went on to say, "You can do more damage with a new pair of shoes, its difficult to come out with anything more than a blister. I’ve done Firewalking numerous times, it really is fun".

The adrenaline was high as the contestants strolled over the sizzling path; most of them claiming that it was pain free. Paul Preston said, "It might as well have been snow, it really isn’t painful at all. I really enjoyed it." Paul wasn’t the only one to come through without a mark on him. David Peacock from North Manchester Chamber said, "It didn’t hurt, the training process was probably worse than the walk itself."

Jo from Blaze also explained the extra advantages of Firewalking, and how it can enhance personal development. Getting over a fear can help in lots of other ways too, especially personal development. Someone who has a difficult customer at work and they’re not sure know how to deal with it – Firewalking shows how they can tackle their fears and achieve more by doing so".

Firewalker Andrew Harrison from Molesworths was very eager indeed, despite firstly calling the Firewalk "The path of certain death". He then went on to say, "It was an amazing experience and we have now joined an exclusive club".

This unique event raised massive amounts of money for the Springhill Hospice, as each participant raised a minimum of £100 sponsorship. It still looks painful though…