Thirty-seven fundraising Firewalkers got more than a little hot under the collar at YMCA East Surrey’s Sports and Community Centre on Saturday 16 July.
Led by YMCA Head of Children’s Services, Kristina Lastoweckyi, the group walked on a fire bed measuring approximately 20 feet long by 2 feet wide, burning at a mean temperature of 1236 degrees Fahrenheit.
“There was a great atmosphere at the event and all the Challengers really got involved on the night,” reported Kristina. “The crowd of families and friends were fantastic and the whole team really supported each other. So far, we have managed to raise £4,500 towards the new Inclusive Sports Facility that will be built later this year and that figure is still increasing.”
The Firewalkers had a motivational training session before their Challenge and the waiting crowd of spectators were entertained with an impressive display of fire-dancing and fire-eating.
Among those taking part were the self-named ‘Cinderfellas’ – a group of local Councillors – and Kitty Cubbage who has a daughter with disabilities who attends the YMCA’s Yippee club. Wanting to show her support to the Children’s Services team who do so much to help the family, Kitty joined the 9 YMCA staff members in the Firewalking group and has raised an amazing £1114 in sponsorship.
Last year, 4,238 children and young people from 0-15 years benefitted from YMCA East Surrey services and, of these, 2,809 had some form of special need.
Work on the new Inclusive Sports Facility is due to start later this year and, once fully operational, it is expected that around 800 people every week will participate in more than 70 different sessions at the new facility, including disability sports, specialist exercise, rehabilitative care and preventative health sessions.
In 2015/2016, adventurous Challengers raised an incredible £102,107 in support of YMCA East Surrey’s vital local services and this figure looks to be even higher in 2016/2017.
