Fearless cat lovers wanted to join Councillor Jeffery Tildesley to raise cash for Cats Protection!

It’s not a challenge for the faint-hearted – a  bare foot walk over a 20ft bed of burning hot coals – or a 12ft bed of glass.

Cats Protection’s Bridgend Adoption Centre is on the lookout for fearless cat lovers to take part in their sponsored fire walk & glass walks.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will give participants the chance to walk across wood embers smouldering at 800 degrees without experiencing pain or injury.  People who have previously braved a firewalk can go one step further and walk across a 12 ft bed of smashed sterile wine bottles.

The event, to be held at Bridgend Adoption Centre, on 16^th April 2011   will raise much needed funds to help care for unwanted cats and kittens in the centre.  Last year’s firewalk raised over £12,000, it’s hoped this year’s event will help raise even more!  Councillor Jeff Tildesley, who has already braved the coals and will be taking part in the glass walk said “Please come along and support Cats Protection Charity’s fundraising day, it’s so important to raise funds for these cats”.  Tony John, Director from Shepherds the Vets, who are sponsoring the event said “Shepherds consider it a privilege to sponsor and take part in the fire and glass walks following its great success last year”.

Participants will need to provide £25.00 registration fee and agree to a fundraising target of £100 in order to take part. Training sessions will be given before the event by fire & glass walking experts who will be on hand throughout the evening.

Centre Manager, Sue Dobbs said, “I took part in the firewalk last year and found it to be brilliant, inspirational experience and would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about taking part, I am very excited to be taking part in the glass walk this year” 

Apart from providing the ultimate challenge for thrill-seekers, firewalking is an ancient religious and spiritual practice with the first recorded firewalk taking place in India 3000 years ago.  There are many theories as to why it is possible to walk over hot coals without pain or injury – including the poor heat conductivity of wood, the short contact time between the coals and feet, and adopting a ‘mind over matter’ approach.