A FUNDRAISING father and daughter were among a team of brave souls who walked barefooted through red hot coals for a North-East charity.

Andy Wood and daughter, Ashleigh, were two of the fearless fundraisers who took part in a charity fire walk for Butterwick Hospice Care, at Stockton.

Along with Daniel Stirling, Debbie Rhodes, Hayley Stewart, Julie Pitelan, Lisa Guthrie, Abi Featherstone, and Jo and Simon Wallis, they walked twice crossed a 20-foot bed of burning wood in their bare feet.

The Northern Echo: Fundraisers watched the fire get lit, before it burned down to a 20-foot-long bed of hot coals - ready for walkingFundraisers watched the fire get lit, before it burned down to a 20-foot-long bed of hot coals - ready for walking (Image: Chris Barron)

As a result, the group has raised more than £1,500 for the hospice, which is located in Stockton and Bishop Auckland.

After stepping off the coals, which burnt at around 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, Andy said: “I feel exhilarated – fantastic. I’m very proud of Ashleigh tonight, and I’m proud of myself.

“I did look into firewalking before we did it, so I kind of knew what to expect, but I’ve still got a real buzz now I’ve done it. They do a fantastic job at Butterwick Hospice Care, and they deserve all the support they can get.”

Ashleigh, who works as part of Butterwick’s fundraising team, said: “It’s always fantastic to join our amazing supporters for events like this, and I hope they all know now that I won’t ever ask them to do something I wouldn’t do myself!

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“I get to see the incredible work that Butterwick Hospice Care does on a daily basis, and I want to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone who took part, to all those who sponsored them, and to our brilliant hosts, Blaze Firewalking.

“I’m very proud that my Dad and I have been able to do this challenge event so that Butterwick Hospice Care can continue to support our amazing service users and their families.

“As far as father-daughter bonding activities go, it was perhaps a bit extreme – but I think we can all say it was quite a feet!”