23 Apr 2025 Community

Braving the Flames: The Kirkwood Firewalk Raises Over £5,000 for our charity

On Saturday, 22nd March 2025, The Kirkwood in Dalton, Huddersfield, hosted its annual Firewalk event, drawing over 20 brave participants to walk barefoot across hot embers. The daring challenge successfully raised an impressive £5,018, directly supporting The Kirkwood's mission to provide compassionate care for individuals with life limiting illnesses across Kirklees.

Community Fundraiser Julia Owen expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating, “We are truly humbled and inspired by the incredible courage, commitment and generosity shown by everyone who took part in The Kirkwood Firewalk. Raising £5,018 is a remarkable achievement, and we couldn’t be more grateful to all those who stepped out of their comfort zones to support our cause, quite literally walking over fire for The Kirkwood.​

“Every penny raised from this event will help us continue to provide outstanding care for people in our community living with life limiting illnesses, as well as support for their families and loved ones. It’s thanks to the dedication of our supporters and staff members, like those who braved the flames at the Firewalk, that we can keep making a real difference every single day.​

“On behalf of everyone at The Kirkwood, thank you for your bravery, your spirit, and your unwavering support.”​

The success of the event was made possible by the generous support of local businesses. Bower Skip Hire Ltd. of Huddersfield kindly donated a skip for the event, ensuring the venue remained clean and safe for all attendees. Additionally, Coults Bakery Shop of Batley provided delicious baked hotdog bread buns, offering much needed refreshments to participants and supporters alike.​

A special thank you goes to BLAZE, the company that made the firewalk possible. Founded by martial artist Martin Sterling, BLAZE has been pioneering firewalking events since 1984. Martin's journey into firewalking began in 1983 during a research trip into Indian martial arts, where he studied the practice under the guidance of masters in India. Upon returning to the UK, he held the world's first fundraising firewalk on 5th November 1984 for his martial arts group. Today, BLAZE is managed by Martin's wife, Karen Sterling, who brings over 30 years of firewalking experience. Their events are designed to help transform fear and inspire individuals to achieve what they once thought impossible, demonstrating that many limitations in life are self-imposed.​

The Kirkwood extends sincere thanks to all the firewalkers, their sponsors, and everyone who came out to cheer them on. Your contributions and encouragement have made a significant impact, helping The Kirkwood continue its vital work within the community.

If you'd like to fundraise for us by taking on an event yourself, please click the link HERE and visit our events page, whether that's signing up to The Kirkwood Starlight Walk, taking on a challenge or making your own fundraising event up, get in contact with us today or sign up to one of our existing events.