The Mind firewalk has made it’s way to Leeds City Centre.
On Thursday, November 3, participants will meet at Victoria Gardens, outside of the Leeds Art Gallery at 5:30pm to walk barefoot across fire embers.
At 6pm, the attendees will receive training from leading company, UK Firewalk.
MIND charity, established in 1946 aims to help inform and support individuals experiencing mental health problems.
By encouraging participants to walk over the embers, they are also enforcing an idea of mind over matter.
Ellie Francis, a youth ambassador for MIND, said “Fundraising is an essential part of support continuing to be provided at MIND. Without fundraising, many staff wouldn’t be able to support those who need it and many support projects wouldn’t have the funding to be ran”.
She went on to say, “Fundraising allows the opportunity for better mental health support to be provided in the community, for volunteers to be able to run projects, for staff to be able to effectively provide support and campaign for better mental health awareness.”
Campaigns like the fire walk have been established by MIND to allow more people to access their services through more funding.
They also have the purpose of raising awareness on issues that effect those struggling.
Matthew Levy, a student at Leeds Beckett University participated in a fire walk, an experience which he considered to be extremely rewarding.
He said, “At first it’s quite nerve-wracking as it does seem quite dangerous even though it isn’t. It’s not a so called normal thing to do and at the time I’d not done anything like it.”
The experience focuses strongly on mental perseverance. He added, “I think it’s a mix of emotions. It’s a mix between shock, and I guess a sense of achievement.”
The registration fee comes to £15 with an initial fundraising target of £150
To participate in the charity fire-walk, visit leedsmind.org.uk
