Brave ‘soles’ walk on fire for charity

Mar 11 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

NEARLY 30 brave ‘soles’ showed their worth by walking on fire for children’s charity River Kids.

The charity persuaded 26 hardy members of the public, including the Courier’s very own Joanne Close, to get sponsored to walk across 20 feet of wood embers burning at 1256 degrees to raise funds.

And the courageous fire-walkers raised around £4000 in a tremendous effort of mind over matter.

The West Lothian based charity teamed up with the Premier Inn in Bathgate where the event was held on the evening of Saturday, March 6.

In the run up to the evening’s exciting Firewalk, the hotel also put on a free, family fun day running between noon and 4pm, which raised funds for both River Kids and WaterAid.

The hotel carpark grounds were teeming with over 300 kids, mums, dads and family members enjoying the free fun fair rides and fairies’ face painting. The kids also had their football skills tested by the coaches from Broxburn Athletic Colts Football Club.

The local fire brigade and police were also involved in this community event and showed kids around the fire engine and police van, giving them a valuable insight into what they do in their jobs and ways to be safe. The adults also enjoyed the free taster massages being offered by new treatment company Harmonize.

And at the last count it was estimated that over £4000 has been raised for River Kids and in excess of £1000 for WaterAid.

Laura Crow, general manager for the Premier Inn Livingston (Bathgate) said: “It was really fantastic to see so many of the local residents here at our hotel and raising this sort of money for River Kids and WaterAid.”

Wendy Simpson, charity co-ordinator from River Kids added: “The fun day was amazing, free fun rides for the children and 26 people walking on fire, there was something for everyone.

“The amount raised is fantastic and will enable us to help more children from West Lothian.

“Our thanks go to Premier Inn, pascha*pr, Jolly’s, Paul Hunter and everyone else who helped make this day a huge success, including all those whom walked on fire and helped us raise this amazing amount.

“It was a fantastic community event and we hope to do this again soon.”

For more information on River Kids please visit www.riverkids.org.uk or call 01506 602 520.

The photographs of the fun day were kindly supplied by Simon Forsythe.