IT was a baptism of fire for 37 brave Phyllis Tuckwell supporters, as they took on the charity’s newest fundraising event, the firewalk.

Held at the Elvetham Hotel in Hartley Wintney, this red-hot event raised money to help fund the vital hospice care which Phyllis Tuckwell provides for patients and families who are living with a terminal illness.

The firewalk was run by Time4Change, a training and events organisation, which draws upon motivational psychology, neuro-linguistic programming and the martial arts to tap into inner resources of fearlessness and self-belief.

Before the walk participants attended an informative and highly entertaining training seminar run by Cliff Mann, who is recognised as the most experienced firewalking instructor in the UK and Europe.

As well as teaching the participants skills and attitudes which will stay with them for life, the seminar also put everyone at ease, answered any questions they may have had and calmed any nerves.

The fearless fundraisers were then taken outside to walk across the 15 to 20ft long fire lane, which was made up of a combination of red-hot pine, ash and oak embers and had a core temperature of 400 to 600°F.

Fiona Chapman, events fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell, who herself completed the firewalk, said: “We were thrilled with the success of this new event.

“There was a real sense of camaraderie among those who took part, and their families and friends who came along to support them.

“We would like to thank Bellway who sponsored the event, the Elvetham Hotel for their generosity in providing the venue and of course all of our participants and everyone who sponsored them.”

Sponsorship money is still coming in but Phyllis Tuckwell is hoping the total raised will reach £8,000, all of which will go directly to help fund the supportive and end of life care which the charity provides.

This amount of money could pay for around three months’ care from one of Phyllis Tuckwell’s specialist IPU palliative care nurses, who can look after up to five patients at a time on the In-Patient Unit (IPU).

See the hospice’s website, www.pth.org.uk, for more information and for how to get involved in future events.