David Warburton, the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Somerton and Frome, completed a sizzling “fire walk” on Friday night to raise money for Ups and Downs Southwest, the charity which offers advice and support to families of children with Down’s Syndrome across Somerset.
On Friday evening in Westonzoyland more than twenty people took part in the fire walk, arranged by UK FireWalk, one of the UK’s leading fire walking organisers. As the fire walk began, the temperature of the hot coals was measured at 600 degrees centigrade – six times hotter than boiling water.
Founded in 1997 by Wendy O’Carroll when her new-born son Oliver was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome, Ups and Downs Southwest has been supporting parents and children in a similar position ever since.
David Warburton said, “As a Trustee of Ups and Downs Southwest, I’m very keen to support the charity in any way I can, including lightly toasting the soles of my feet. Ups and Downs Southwest is an inspirational charity, and the total dedication and relentless energy of Wendy and her volunteers makes a massive difference to the lives of so many families right across Somerset.
“The prospect of walking barefoot over burning hot coals was frankly pretty daunting, but I’m glad to have done it, and hugely grateful to those who generously sponsored me to the tune of £725 for this very worthwhile cause.”
In addition to supporting families of children with Down’s Syndrome, Ups and Downs runs youth clubs in Somerset towns and villages, a schools advisory and support service, provides family days out, events, training days, general advice and guidance – all free of charge - for those affected by Down’s Syndrome.