FSID's London Fire Walk Challenge 

“Courage is not the absence of fear, it’s the ability to operate in spite of fear”

On Friday 6th June 2008 a team of 30 fearless fundraisers took part in FSID’s London Fire Walk Challenge held at The Windmill on Clapham Common. For this exhilarating event, FSID teamed up with fire walking experts, BLAZE to ensure that all our firewalkers received the appropriate training to walk across 20 feet of wood embers burning at over 1200ºF without experiencing any pain or injury. 

 

 

 

At 7.30pm, our group of fire walkers were taken in to a separate room to receive a 2 hour ‘Learn or Burn’ training session with Blaze instructor Vaughan Ball, whilst the rest of the Blaze team got to work on building the fire. As the flames took hold and began to burn fiercely, the firewalkers were brought out to see the challenge that lay ahead.

 

 

With a mixture of nerves and excitement, one after another of our firewalkers stepped onto the burning embers and walked on fire to the cheers of their fellow team members! All of our 30 firewalkers mastered their fear and walked over the red hot coals without injury or incident.

 

                 

 

Click here to see a video of firewalker Richard Horlick in action!               

 

Here are some comments from our firewalkers:

 

"Flames engulf the wooden planks, and a blistering heat emanates, threatening to unravel my new sense of fearlessness. Twenty minutes and one signed disclaimer later, the wood is reduced to a bed of black coals, lined by two paths of flames. One by one, Vaughan sets us off on our fiery walk, to massive cheers from the gathered supporters." Diana Pilkington, Wandsworth Borough News

 

"I must admit to having felt a little pensive about walking over extremely hot coals, so I felt a real sense of achievement having completed the firewalk. It was a fantastic experience and the build up to the event was great fun. So, what's it like to walk over fire? Well in all honestly it felt mildly warm! I'd thoroughly recommend doing a firewalk if you get the chance, especially if it's in support of such a wonderful cause.'" James Richards

“What a thrill to perform the impossible! I was nervous beforehand but after the training session I felt ready for anything and I knew I could do it. With the crowds urging me on I strode over a bed of scorching hot coals burning at 1200F and it felt amazing. I would recommend this challenge to anyone wanting to conquer their fears and feel an incredible sense of freedom and empowerment."  Pam O'Brien 

                                        

“A friend of mine lost a baby to cot death. It was a devastating loss, and I would do anything to prevent this happening to anyone else." Kirsty Mellish

FSID are delighted to announce that the event is well on track to raise over £7,000 and would like to thank The Windmill, Blaze and particularly all those fire walkers who bravely walked on fire and raised funds for our vital cause.

 

If you would like to take part in a sponsored event for FSID or organise your own please check out our Events pages, or gives a call on 020 7222 8003 or email fundraising@fsid.org.uk

 

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