Local mental health charity Mid and North East Essex Mind is challenging people to get out of their comfort zone and take part in their annual Firewalk to raise much-needed funds for the charity.
The Firewalk will take place for the third consecutive year on World Mental Health Day (Thursday 10 October) at Anglia Ruskin University, Writtle Campus, Chelmsford. The event is billed as a ‘life-changing’ experience and fundraisers are being encouraged to do something different and discover their ‘true strength’.
One person undertaking the challenge is The Reverend Rod Reid, who is 44 years old and is the vicar at St Mary’s Church, Bocking.
Rev. Reid explains why he is taking part in firewalk: “I’ve never done a firewalk before, I’m both excited and anxious. I know it’s a matter of ‘mind over matter’ but I’ve got to get over the fear that I will actually be walking across fire! I’ve ran two marathons for charity before and I know I thought ‘I can’t do this’ several times during the runs, but I knew I could find a way through the fear and negative thoughts, and I did!
“My motivation for doing the firewalk is that since Covid pandemic, mental health issues have really come into the spotlight, both nationally and in my role as a vicar. I’ve been the minister at several funerals in my parish where, sadly, young men have taken their own lives, and the number of them has truly shocked me and increased my awareness of the issue.
“I have also spoken with a local friend who told me that he has lost ten friends to suicide in the last few years, so I really wanted to do something to highlight this issue in my community. It was clear that supporting the wonderful work that Mid and North East Essex Mind does in the area, was the way to go.
“Mid and North East Essex Mind has hosted some of their mental health toolkit sessions in my parish, and they have been very beneficial to those feeling anxious, depressed or helpless. Now I’m doing this challenge, walking over fire, to raise money for the charity and to raise the profile of the work they do and help they offer, to the community.
“I’m also encouraging other local clergy to join me in the firewalk, so we can all help raise awareness of mental health issues in all of our communities. However, we will not be doing the firewalk in our full robes, as they go all the way down to the ground and we don’t actually want to catch fire!
“What I am really looking forward to in the firewalk is the feeling of camaraderie between everyone doing the challenge, we’ll all be in it together and will cheer each other on. Doing this really shows the power of resilience and that we can overcome any fears or anxieties we have, but we need help from others to do it.”
Participants will be required to pay a £35 registration fee (or £120 for a team of four), which will include a wood fired oven pizza of their choice whilst at the event, and a certificate commemorating their firewalk. Firewalkers are also encouraged to raise £100 for Mid and North East Essex Mind. The event will run on Thursday 10 October between 6pm – 9pm. Spaces are limited, and early sign-up is encouraged.
To sign-up to the firewalk visit, www.mnessexmind.org/p/firewalk-october.
