A Dorset reporter has walked across a 20ft bed of hot coals to raise money for charity.

Anna Youssef, of the Western Gazette, completed the burning feat to raise money and awareness for Mind.

She and 22 other brave volunteers completed the fire-walk – proving that it is possible to put mind over matter. The event took place in Weymouth College car park and raised £14,000 for the mental health charity.

Anna said: “I took part because I thought it would make a good story; instead of just observing I thought I’d take part to give a greater insight.

“I was happy to support the designated charity. It does some really worthwhile work, and I think that anything that raises awareness of mental health issues is good.”

Before she completed the task Anna took part in a two-hour confidence building course covering the various physical reasons why it was unlikely the fire-walkers feet would burn – the sweat on their feet evaporating the heat being the main one.

The course, given by Martin Sterling of the fire-walk company Blaze, focused on fear management techniques and positive visualisation.

Anna said: “Martin was very good; he was like a stand up comedian. He really gee-d us up to face the fire walk.”

When asked what was going through her mind while she was actually walking across the coals, Anna said: “I was just thinking about getting to the end.

“I knew if I hadn’t gone through with the walk, I’d never have heard the end of it.

“I didn’t feel any great pain, but I did feel a slight tingle in the soles of my feet.

“It wasn’t how I’d usually spend my Friday night. It was good fun.”

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