Firewalk a roaring success for Guild Care
Last night Worthing-based charity Guild Care held their first ever Firewalk at the Thomas A. Becket pub in Worthing! The event saw 25 volunteer Fire Walkers conquer their fears to walk across 30ft of burning hot coals, raising vital funds in the process.
What is firewalking?
Firewalking involves walking barefoot over a bed of hot embers or stones measuring around 800 degrees. Many cultures have practiced this act throughout history and it is believed to be a test or proof of faith. Our Marketing Assistant, Emma Pearson, attended the event and has so far raised an impressive £358 for the charity. Here’s what she had to say about her experience:
“Firewalking is something that I have wanted to do for a while now. Back in September I attended the Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce Better Business Show with the Marketing team at Carpenter Box and was approached by Gemma Kent from Guild Care’s fundraising team. She explained that they were organising their first Firewalking event and I thought I just had to sign up! I set up a JustGiving page and started my fundraising mission and there was lost of encouragement and support from the Guild Care team along the way, some of whom took part themselves.
On the night, we arrived at the pub and registered. As a requirement of the event, every person taking part in the Firewalk had to attend a seminar teaching you the techniques you need to conquer your fears! It was equally exciting and a bit scary, but everyone in the group was in it together and the organisers were really reassuring and encouraging. The event was so well organised and although we were all clearly nervous, doing it as a group activity makes all the difference! Also having the crowd support and so many of my friends and family there to cheer me on meant so much. I was “fired up” and ready to go.
When we got to the fire pit it was quite exhilarating. It was also much more “fiery” than I had imagined, but we had been given our training and instructions and were all set. We queued up in a line and one by one and when we each got to the front were asked two questions: “What’s your name” and “Are you ready?” and then we walked!
Walking across the pit was a very surreal, liberating and completely amazing experience. Just before I took my first step, I could see my friends and family on the other side of the gate opposite me, cheering me on. The feeling of the embers is actually quite soft and almost comfortable to walk across, it’s the heat coming from the fire at the side that you feel the most. I feel really privileged to have had this opportunity and so grateful to everyone who has supported me and donated to my JustGiving page helping me raise £358 so far!
About Guild Care
Guild Care are a Worthing based charity providing community services to support older people, children and adults with learning disabilities in the local area. This includes residential, nursing care and dementia care homes, a home care support service and 11 charity shops. Find out more about how you can get involved as a volunteer or make a donation.
Auds Stapleton, Fundraising Partnership Officer at Guild Care said of last nights event:
“Firewalking is such a unique event that after the last eighteen months we just wanted to put on something a bit different that the community could get involved with that being outside meant that people could attend and participate safely. We are delighted it was such a success and has raised over £5500.00 for Guild Care so we hope to do it again next year making it even bigger and better.”
Congratulations to Emma and all the participants who took on the fiery challenge!