Fundraisers with nerves of steel and feet of asbestos braved burning coals on Sunday (May 20) for the KM Charity Team’s maiden Buster’s Charity Firewalk.

The daredevil challenge took place under clear blue skies at Maidstone’s Mercure Great Danes Hotel on Sunday evening. Sixty-one firewalkers were cheered on by well-wishers as they took on the challenge and raised £8,500 for 18 charities.

The biggest team taking part was the 10-member outfit from Spadework, a West Malling charity using horticulture to promote life skills among people with learning difficulties – and they raised £1,800 between them.

Event organiser Dominic Comins said: “Wow! What a great event. The atmosphere was electric and everyone had such a fantastic time.

“Congratulations to all the brave participants, and a big thank you on behalf of all the charities that funds were raised for.”

Beneficiaries included Harmony Therapy Trust, Kent Wildlife Rescue Centre, Dandelion Time, Large Breed Dog Rescue, Lenham Primary School PTFA, Spadework, Porchlight, Martha Trust, Deal Breastfeeding Support Group, Trinity Fencing CIC, Porchlight, RSPCA Ashford and Tenterden, St Ethelbert's PTFA, North Kent Disabled Foundation, St Mary's School PTFA, Porchlight, and Kent MS Therapy Centre.

Kelly Edward from New Leaf Support in Sittingbourne said: “It was really good fun and I’d do it again – and I want to do it again!”

The event and walkers were supervised by two-time firewalk world record holder Scott Bell and his company UK Firewalk.

Scott said: "It was a great event in the perfect location. The event was excellently organised by the KM Charity Team, and everyone who took part should be very proud of themselves walking across hot coals heating up to nearly 600 degrees.”

KM Charity Team challenge events open for booking include the KM Colour Run at Betteshanger Park in Deal on Sunday, June 10, the KM Dragon Boat Race at Mote Park, Maidstone, on Sunday, July 1, and the KM Charity Walk, also at Mote Park, on Sunday, June 24.

To book, visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/booking and use the discount code KMNEWS18 to get discounts of £5 for the Colour Run, £50 for the Dragon Boat Race and £1.50 for the walk.