Brave fire walkers take on hot coals (From Salisbury Journal)

Brave fire walkers take on hot coals

8:20am Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News By Morwenna Blake

BRAVE firewalkers in Amesbury set a blazing fundraising trail at the weekend as they more than doubled the target they set themselves.

When they came up with the idea for the event, Laura Brown and Helen Bailey hoped that everyone taking part would raise at least £100 in sponsorship and that they would get to £5,000.

But more than 50 people signed up to walk over hot coals and managed to raise £11,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Mrs Brown, who led the way across the coals with her fellow organiser, said: “It was a really, really good experience.

“I didn’t think about my feet, I just looked ahead to where I was going.

“My girls were a little worried beforehand but they were really proud of me once I’d finished and I hadn’t burnt my feet.”

Mrs Brown and Mrs Bailey were inspired to organise the event by their daughters, Emily and Emma, who both have type 1 diabetes.

The girls, together with Emily’s twin sister Katie, formed the Type 1 Superstars fundraising group last year and organised events to raise money, including a family fun day and a Christmas event at the Bowman Centre at Archers Gate, Amesbury, to support research into the condition and its treatment.

And their efforts not only inspired their families, but the community in Amesbury and from further afield.

A team of 18 from Aspire Martial Arts braved the firewalk, and Amesbury Town Football Club lent their facilities for free for Saturday’s event.

And the youngest walker taking part, 13-year-old Isabella Mirisola- Jones, who also has type 1 diabetes, travelled from Eastbourne to show her support after her mother got to know Mrs Bailey and learnt about the fundraising efforts through her facebook page.