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WALKING OVER HOT COALS FOR
WIRRAL HOSPICE ST JOHN’S CEREMONY
Wirral Hospice St John’s holds a special place in the hearts and
minds of Wirral people. Many have raised thousands of pounds
completing challenges to help the hospice to raise monies to
continue to provide its expert pain management and symptom
control for people with life-limiting illnesses as well as support
for their families.
In 2019, events such as a Walk in the Park, It’s a Knockout and
Mucky Mudder have attracted hundreds of supporters to ‘have a
go’ in hospice managed events, while others have signed up for
personal trials of endurance, organised by others, to walk, run,
swim, skydive and cycle to raise funds for the hospice.
And now, we know that people are prepared, literally, to walk
over hot coals to show their, and their sponsors’, magnificent
commitment to the hospice.
or breaking arrows, normally used in archery, against a wall using
only their throats! All this before embarking on the FireWalk.
Outside was a stunning sight for a large and supportive, and
possibly more apprehensive, crowd of spectators who watched as
organisers set fire to a bonfire of charcoal logs for the firewalk, with
the atmosphere being further stoked by Batala Mersey, an exciting
drumming band who brought the upbeat rhythm of Afro-Brazilian
samba to an exciting and inspirational evening.
The audience cheered and chanted loudly as each of the Firewalkers
emerged from the workshop and lined up to take their first step.
Then, after a deep breath, each person strode across the glowing
mass of embers, sparks and cinders burning at around 1000 degrees
Fahrenheit.
A team of around ten hospice staff and regular volunteers joined
the rest of the prospective firewalkers in a motivational workshop
an hour before the event, delivered by master firewalk instructor,
Steve Consalvez of Success Formulae. Now, a special type of respect is ascribed to all those people who
crashed through their personal barriers to walking purposefully
over several metres of hot coals and all to raise funds for their
beloved, local hospice. Sarah Burgess, Wirral Hospice St John’s
fundraising officer, says: “It was a special evening. We’re so in awe
of our fabulous firewalkers and, in fact, of all of the individuals
and businesses who take part in, and support the hospice through
sponsorship, challenges and events throughout the year. Their
dedication means we can provide the specialised nursing and
clinical services so cherished by our whole Wirral community.”
Some people were ‘in the zone’ early during the session and
demonstrated supreme focus by agreeing to walk over broken glass If people would still like to donate to the hospice team please visit
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wirralhospicefirewalk.
On Friday 8th November, more than 50 hardy souls, (‘soles’?)
displayed a rousing level of dedication to walk, barefoot, over
several feet of glowing hot embers in Wirral Hospice St John’s first
ever FireWalk, which was staged next to the hospice grounds.
16 wirrallife.com