People had their own ‘Blaze of Glory’ moment when they took to the hot coals for charity at Petersfield Rugby Club last weekend.

FitzRoy held its annual firewalk challenge on the evening of Saturday, April 5, with a mixture of the public and FitzRoy members baring their soles to raise money towards supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs.

The challenge involved walking barefoot across 15 feet of burning wood embers, with some participants doing it three times!

Angela Murphy, FitzRoy chief executive and firewalker, said: “It is so inspiring when you see so many people coming here today willing to bare their feet and their soul and walk across hot coals for such an amazing cause like Fitzroy.

“We've got 900 people around the country that we take care of, and every penny that we can raise makes such a difference to their lives.

“I know they've raised well over £6,000, so all of that will make a huge difference to so many people's lives. Thank you to everyone that supported us!”

FitzRoy supports more than 800 people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues in over 100 homes and services across England.

Between 2023 to 2024, events such as firewalking, wing walks, skydiving, marathons and more had raised £20,000 for the charity.

Shine Radio presenter Kirsty Meredith, was another brave soul who braved the flames.

Speaking to the Petesfield Post, she said: “I needed to stay focused, because if you break that focus, then that's when it hurts, so I didn't want to get ouchy feet!

“It was incredible and just proves that if you put your mind to something, you can do it. It is not about walking on the fire and the hot coals, it's about putting your mind to something and knowing that you can do it and achieving it.”