Christine on fire for Special Olympics in Los Angeles

Christine, an Account Technician originally from Derrymacash, has organised a Fire Walk Challenge in June, which will be hosted by Craigavon Watersports Centre.

“I have been a volunteer with Special Olympics Ireland for ten years,” Christine explained. “In 2006, the Special Olympics Ireland Games were held in Belfast and I signed up to help. Then in 2011, I went along to to help out at the World Games in Athens.”

This year, however, volunteers have to travel a little further afield to help out with the Games:

“The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games are being held in Los Angeles, so we have quite a bit to raise.”

Around 30,000 volunteers will play a role in making this year’s World Games, which take place in July, a success.

“We have organised a few events to help raise funds for the trip. Back in February, we had a ‘mock wedding’, which got great support from the public - who were curious to see what it was all about! Various businesses from the town got involved, too.”

Retaining a theme of less conventional fundraisers, Christine is now recruiting volunteers with whom to take on the Fire Walk Challenge - which will require participants to walk across 20 feet of hot coals.

“I’ve done a Fire Walk twice before,” said Christine. “And I’ve still got feet!

“Twenty volunteers have signed up to the challenge so far - but there are still places available. Everybody will get about 2 hours’ training before the walk, so it’s very safe.”

The Fire Walk Challenge is taking place at Craigavon Watersports Centre, just beside Craigavon Lakes, on Friday 5 June.

If you are keen to support Christine - or you’re feeling brave enough to have a go at treading on fire - you can visit the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/FirewalkLurgan