WHILE more used to having their feet held to the flames by the electorate, one Helston town |councillor decided to do it to herself, all in the name of charity.

Cllr Martine Knight joined fundraisers for Little Harbour – Children’s Hospice South West at their firewalk event on Marazion Beach last Wednesday evening, helping raise £5,000 pledged in sponsorship.

The weather stayed dry for the 24 adrenaline seekers who walked bare foot over hot coals in front of friends and family cheering them from the safety of the sidelines.

Calling it a fantastic event, Martine said she happily escaped unscathed and when she washed off the black soot she did not have a mark on her feet.

Adding that while you would be foolish not to be a “little apprehensive”, she went into it with the frame of mind that if people were getting injured doing this a lot, it would not be done so often all over the country.

She said: “I’m delighted I did it, in fact I did it five times. I thought I may as well make the most of it as I was there. The people running it were very professional.”

Martine raised £160, with some more yet to come in from sponsors.

Sarah Stott, Events Fundraiser for Little Harbour says “We would like to say a massive thank you to our participants for raising such a fantastic amount, and to their family and friends for supporting them.

“It was an absolutely amazing evening at a fantastic location with the full moon being |visible and St Michael’s Mount looking so stunning, just topped it off! What a great sense of achievement for all our firewalkers – they have achieved what seemed impossible – well done everyone!”

Children’s Hospice South West would like to thank St Aubyn Estates, staff at The Godolphin Arms, Samba Celtica, Devon and Cornwall 4 x 4 Response, St John Ambulance and photographer Ciaran Henry. Volunteers from Penzance and Hayle friends groups are also thanked for their hard work in helping to promote the event and for being there on the night.

Funds raised from the Firewalk will fund the care and support offered at Little Harbour.