If you are looking for a unique way to get into the Halloween spirit this year, why not step barefoot into the heat and conquer the flames at local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s (NICHS) Fright Night Firewalk Challenge?
Leading accountancy practice GMcG Chartered Accountants have signed up for the challenge and are hoping to raise £5,000 for NICHS, their charity partner. Susan Dunlop, Managing Director at GMcG Chartered Accountants says; “GMcG is delighted to have partnered with NICHS since the start of the year and our fundraising efforts will culminate with the Director team taking on the Fright Night Firewalk Challenge on Friday 24th October.”
“As one of our key fundraising activities, we really wanted to go well beyond our comfort zone and this event certainly ticks that box. What better way to overcome fear and test our limits than walking barefoot across red hot embers, all for such a great cause. We are very pleased that all eight GMcG Directors were willing to sign up for this and we know we will have the full support of all our employees and clients.”
Someone who can share advice about taking on a firewalk is Jennie Wallace, from Belfast. Jennie suffered an unexpected stroke in February 2023 at just 41 years old and subsequently organised a firewalk fundraiser in aid of Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke, who helped her on her post-stroke recovery journey. The event was an enormous success, raising over £18,000 for the charity.
Jennie says; “I had always wanted to do a firewalk. After I learnt to walk again following my stroke, I really wanted to do something to support NICHS and the idea of, now that I've learnt to walk, I’m going to learn to walk on fire, just seemed really cool to me!”
“I was the first person to do the walk on the night. We were all fired up and motivated and the energy levels were really high. When it was time for me to step onto the coals, I suddenly thought about what I was doing and then said to myself ‘don’t think about it, just do it!’ It was amazing. People ask if I felt anything, but I honestly didn’t.”
“After I did it, I felt amazing. I have been walking with a stick since my stroke but that was the first day in over a year that I didn't use it. I walked across without my stick and was really proud of myself. To have come that far, from not being able to walk, to walking on fire was such an achievement.”
“Everyone else loved it too with most people doing it two or three times. There was a real feeling of elation and a sense of accomplishment when we all did it. It was really powerful.”
Leigh Osborne, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at NICHS, says; “We are delighted to be able to offer people the opportunity to experience the ultimate thrill this spooky season and take part in our Fright Night Firewalk Challenge on Friday 24th October at the Gasworks Belfast. This will be a night of courage, community, and crackling embers, all in support of people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions across Northern Ireland.”
“As Jennie’s story shows, stroke can affect anyone, at any age and the impact can be devastating - but NICHS is here to help with expert care and support. The help available from our Care Services team is extensive and available all across Northern Ireland. We deliver family support, physical activity programmes, health education programmes, wellness sessions, young stroke groups, and practical and emotional support. But we rely on the public’s generous support to do all this as almost 90% of our income comes from donations.”
“We would encourage people to brave the heat this Halloween and do something unforgettable for a great cause. You can sign up at nichs.org.uk/firewalk and during the week starting 13th October we will be running a 2 for 1 special offer rate.”
To find out more and sign up for the event, visit nichs.org.uk/firewalk
