IT’S Autumn and temperatures are dropping but it was hot, hot, hot at Donaghadee Golf Club last Saturday night when 30 intrepid firewalkers braved the terrifying walk of fire.
Barefoot on hot embers, each fearless firewalker bravely put one foot in front of another to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association Northern Ireland (MNDANI) and to help provide practice golf nets at the club.
Club President, Jeff Aiken and Lady President, Joan Groves, led the way as the nervous firewalkers stepped on to the six metre long hot firewalk route.
“Generous sponsorship from family, friends and colleagues made this event happen and their support has encouraged all of us,” said Jeff.
“We’d like to thank the individuals and local companies for providing the superb ballot prizes and the four golf clubs which donated four-balls for the secret ballot.
“And a special thank you to everyone who came along to cheer us on and kept our spirits high, high enough for some of us to walk the firewalk a second time,” he added.
Jean said she and Jeff have very special reasons for choosing to support the MNDA.
“We have lost close friends to this horrible disease and we are pleased to be supporting the charity’s investment in cutting-edge MND research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for the disease thanks to the amazing generosity of everyone involved,” she said.
“We have plans for future fund raising events for MNDANI so hopefully there will be more to come for the charity.”
Back in the Club House, each participant was presented with a firewalk certificate to record their personal achievement and a cheque for £6,150 was presented to Stephen Thompson, Chair of MNDA NI who thanked Jeff and Joan for their fantastic fundraising efforts.
He said: “I am very grateful to Jeff and Joan for choosing MNDANI as their joint charity.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this very generous cheque which will help support new research which we are hoping to get up and running soon. This donation will help us achieve that goal.”
The Presidents also confirmed that an additional £3,800 raised by the event will provide the practice golf nets for the club which will be installed within the next year.
A great night of fun continued with tasty street food by Pier 36 and hot music by Stan Park.
The Firewalk was conducted under the guidance of a professional firewalk instructor.