FIRE walking will be one of the attractions on offer in Douglas later this month as part of a fundraising drive for the Isle of Man Hospice.
For the aspiring circus performer the event will see activities in the town centre and at North Quay.
Anyone not so keen on the idea of walking on embers can instead test their mettle with the alternative attraction of walking on ice – actually broken glass.
The activities are being laid on by UK company UK Firewalk and organisers are keen to stress it is entirely safe.
Described by the organisers as ‘the most inspirational journey you will ever undertake’, the fire walk is done bare-foot over red-hot wood embers with a temperature of about 800 degrees.
Both events are to take place on Saturday April 13.
The ice walk will be on Regent Street in Douglas town centre near the main post office and runs from midday to 5pm.
Mary Doyle of the hospice said: ‘It is a chance for people to try something different. They can walk on ice and raise funds for hospice or alternatively they can take part in the firewalking extravaganza which is taking place over on North Quay.’
Firewalking has been practised by different cultures around the world and is thought to date back to Iron Age India around 1200 BC. It has been used in the past as a rite of passage or a test of strength and courage, or in religion as a test of faith.
At one time it was believed the walker was protected by supernatural forces but physics can now provide an explanation. The embers are poor heat conductors and the transfer of heat to the walker’s foot is also restricted by a layer of insulating ash which coats them.
The fire walking takes place from 7.30pm on the same day on North Quay. There will also be live music and a fire display as well as the fire walk itself.
A payment of £50 will secure the opportunity to try out either or both of the experiences. In additiion participants must raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship in favour of the hospice to do one activity or £100 for those doing both ice walking and fire walking. Anyone interested must sign up in advance by calling 647434 or emailing {mailto:terricook@hospice.org.im|terricook(at)hospice.org.im}. It is not possible to sign up at the event.