In a courageous tribute to her late father, Kathryn Reynolds, a director at the Specsavers store in Okehampton, walked barefoot across a bed of coals heated to a staggering 900 degrees Fahrenheit.
A Tribute Forged in Fire
Kathryn was motivated to undertake the extreme challenge after the sudden loss of her father, Steve Morris, in 2024. He passed away following an aortic dissection, an event that shocked his family and friends as there had been no prior indication he was unwell. Steve, originally from Ottery St Mary, had a historic connection to fire, having taken part in the town's traditional tar barrel carrying event linked to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Seeking a fitting way to honour his memory and raise funds, Kathryn chose firewalking. The charity she supported was Hospiscare, the local hospice that cared for her father after he was transferred from Derriford Hospital while still in a coma. "I was looking at things I could do to raise money for them," Kathryn explained. "I'm not sporty, so I didn't want to do any running events, but then I found out about the firewalk and it seemed to fit perfectly."
Mind Over Matter on Hot Coals
Kathryn was one of 80 participants in the community firewalk event. Before the walk, attendees took part in a mind-over-matter session to prepare mentally for the challenge. "If you walk too fast or too slow, your feet get burned," Kathryn noted, "so you just have to go at a steady, determined pace."
She described the experience as a "weird sensation" but highlighted the powerful sense of camaraderie. "There was a real togetherness between everyone who was doing it. Everyone supported each other. It was really positive and I'm proud to have done it," she said. Her efforts, backed by colleagues at Specsavers Okehampton, contributed £600 to the night's total.
Vital Funds for Local Hospice Care
The collective effort of the firewalkers raised an incredible over £20,000 for Hospiscare. This funding is critically important, as the charity receives only 24 per cent of its required income from government sources. Each year, Hospiscare supports nearly 2,200 people with terminal illnesses across Exeter, central, and east Devon, relying on community fundraising to meet its annual £10 million need for patient care.
Martin Stokke, Senior Events Fundraiser at Hospiscare, expressed profound gratitude: "We're beyond grateful to Kathryn and the other Hospiscare Heroes who took part... in solidarity with our patients and their families." He also thanked the volunteers and staff who ensured the event's safety and success.
This heartfelt story demonstrates how personal loss can be channelled into powerful community action, providing essential support for a vital local service.
