On Thursday evening, 53 extraordinary people walked barefoot across red-hot embers at the Solent Hotel & Spa – and raised over £11,000 for people living with cancer across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.
There are some moments that are hard to describe until you’ve experienced them yourself. Standing at the edge of a 20-foot Firewalk, barefoot, with the coals burning at over 1,000°F in front of you, is one of them.
On Thursday 24th September, 53 participants found out exactly what that feels like. And they walked anyway.
Wessex Cancer Support’s Firewalk 2026 took place at the Solent Hotel & Spa in Whiteley, guided throughout by the expert team at Blaze. Before the Firewalk began at 8pm, participants were treated to an electrifying circus fire act by Jade from FireKnights Circus, while building the courage for what lay ahead.
Many participants walked in support or in memory of loved ones with cancer, and some came as part of a team, rallying colleagues or friends and family members to walk alongside them.
Shona Lawson, Wessex Cancer Support’s Regional Fundraising Manager for Hampshire, was there on the night to cheer on all the walkers.
“This year’s Firewalk has been another brilliant event. We’ve seen nerves and hesitation but everyone who challenged themselves to do it has succeeded, raising essential funds along the way,” Shona said.
“I’d particularly like to thank Clare and the team at The Solent Hotel and Spa for hosting us again this year, Karen from Blaze Firewalking for her nerves of steel in managing the walk for us, Jade at Fire Knights Circus for her stunning entertainment and to Karl and Paul from Locked Up Memories Photography for doing such a brilliant job of capturing the moments. Of course, the volunteers and spectators did a great job cheering everyone on, but my biggest thanks go to all the participants who turned up to brave the coals. Thank you all!”
Money continues to come in but, together, our Firewalk participants have already raised over £11,000 for Wessex Cancer Support, money that goes directly towards our free services for people living with cancer and their families. From one-to-one counselling and complementary therapies to peer support groups and our Life Rebuilt course, everything we offer is free of charge and funded entirely by the generosity of people like our Firewalk participants.
To every single person who registered, fundraised, walked, cheered or supported from the sidelines: thank you. You are the reason we can keep showing up for the people who need us.
If Thursday’s Firewalk has sparked something in you, there’s another extraordinary challenge coming up. Our Icewalk takes place on 28th October 2026 – the dramatic, frozen counterpart to the Firewalk and just as unforgettable. Spaces are still available. Find out more and register here.
