A group of daredevils undertook a charity fundraiser with a difference by walking across burning hot ashes.
The firewalkers undertook the challenge on Friday, October 8, to drum up cash for Basingstoke Shopmobility and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
The group helped raise up to £5,000 which will be split equally between the two charities.
The event, held at Basingstoke Rugby Club, saw 14 people walk across embers which were over 500 degrees celsius.
The Nottingham-based event organisers, Blaze, spent two hours motivating the walkers and teaching them to handle the red hot embers.
Karen Sterling, Managing Director of Blaze,said that normally skin burns at temperatures above 50 degrees celsius, but by following their techniques walkers can easily complete the walk.
She said that there was no secret trick behind it, just the right frame of mind to walk at the correct pace across the hot floor.
She said: “If somebody walks to quickly or runs then they dig into the coals and burn the tops of their feet, too slowly and their feet will burn.
“After the walkers have finished then everyone will have a different story as to how it feels, some will say it felt hot, some will say it feels cold, some even say it feels fluffy.”
Manager of Shopmobility Basingstoke, 45-year-old Anne Blackmore, took on the challenge.
She said: “It was fabulous, it was not long enough, when I did it I wanted to go round and do it again, it is such an exhilarating experience.
“At first I was apprenhensive but the Blaze team were very good and they really psyched us up.”
Mrs Blackmore's husband, Bill Blackmore, 62, a health and safety engineer also completed the challenge.
He said: “If you applied all the health and safety regulations I would not do it, but now, having completed it I would do it again tomorrow. It was a fantastic experience.”
Each of the firewalkers paid £50 for the event and have pledged to raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship.
June Leatheam, Community Fundraiser for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, said: “It was a great crowd of people who made for a fantastic evening. For the people who have taken part they have rewarded themselves by doing something special as well as raising money for good causes.”
The money raised will contribute towards running costs of both organisations.
