Walking barefoot across a 20ft track of embers smouldering at 800 degrees isn’t everyone’s idea of Saturday afternoon recreation, but that’s exactly what a group of volunteers did recently to raise money for a popular animal charity.

Chris Davies jubilant after his charity firewalk

Among those taking part in the Firewalk in aid of Stourbridge Cats’ Protection at RAF Cosford, near Wolverhampton, was 82-year-old Ron Myles, who was the first to stroll through the red-hot cinders.

“It was fantastic watching Ron complete the firewalk,” says Martin Ellis, regional fundraiser for the West Midlands, “and he’s just one of many people who have ventured out of their comfort zone to do something incredible for cats. Fleur Daykin, another firewalker on the day, has managed to raise more than £830.”

Also taking part was Express & Star features writer, Chris Davies, pictured, who says the day was an experience he would happily do all over again.

“The two-hour motivational session with instructor Cliff Mann beforehand was fascinating,” he explains. “He demonstrated how walking through red-hot embers is possible due to a combination of physics and positivity. At the end of the session, no-one was left in any doubt whatsoever about whether they were going to perform the task. I think everyone came away from it feeling fantastic.”

Saturday’s event raised more than £3,000 for the Stourbridge branch of the national feline charity, which neutered 215,000 and re-homed more than 55,000 cats last year.

Founded in 1927, Cats’ Protection now has more than 7,500 supporters and volunteers and 30 adoption centres.

There are branches throughout the West Midlands and Shropshire, including Telford, north and south Birmingham, Walsall, Cannock, Stourbridge and Wolverhampton.

Visit www.cats.org.uk for more information.