A North-east charity has praised a group of firewalkers who raised more than £1,500 to fund its vital work supporting people with sensory loss.
North East Sensory Services (NESS), which supports people with sight and hearing loss, thanked everyone who took part in the event.
The firewalk is designed to help people conquer their fears and inspire them to do things they did not think possible, with the charity dubbing the feat the ‘fearlessNESS challenge’.
The event took place at Aberdeen Science Centre, with members of NESS’s Young People’s Sensory Service (YPSS) among those braving the burning coals.
(L-R) YPSS member Talijah Reinholde and NESS added value services manager Sheila Ogden standing together smiling, to the left of the firewalk coals.
The service is a free activity group designed to build confidence, independence, and social skills in young people with sight and hearing loss.
It offers children and teenagers the chance to try new hobbies and build friendships with their peers.
NESS supports thousands of blind and deaf people, and those with visual and hearing impairments, across Angus, Dundee, Moray, Aberdeen, and Aberdeenshire.
The charity’s main objective is to help people with sensory loss live as independently as possible, reducing the risk of isolation and helping them overcome the many challenges they face.
Talijah Reinholde, 14, one of the YPSS members who took part, said: “I was nervous when I took part in the training and before the firewalk started. Afterwards, I felt fine – I didn’t feel any pain or heat in my feet.
“My heart was racing, but then I realised I could go ahead with it. I’d like to thank everyone for sponsoring me.”
(L-R) NESS added value services manager Sheila Ogden with her hands outstretched, Sandie Sinclair and Brian Plunkett, who all took part in the firewalk, in front of the firewalk coals.
Alan Bell, chief executive at NESS, said: “We’d like to offer a massive thank you to everyone who took part in the firewalk to raise awareness and funds for NESS.
“Our added value services manager, Sheila Ogden, members of our YPSS group and the other kind souls braved the coals to support the charity, and we are very grateful.
“We couldn’t do what we do without support like this from fundraisers and people getting involved.
“Thank you to everyone who donated, shared our posts on social media, or offered words of encouragement to the team.”
The firewalk was facilitated by Karen Sterling from Blaze, who ran a private training session followed by the walk itself.
Anyone interested in getting involved in future events to support NESS is urged to contact Emma Walsh for more information on Emma.Welsh@nesensoryservices.org.