Asbestos-skinned fundraisers braved burning hot coals and an autumn downpour at a charity firewalk on Sunday (September 29).

Approximately 40 people took part in Buster’s Charity Firewalk, raising an impressive £14,000 for 17 good causes.

Participants travelled from as far away as Battle in East Sussex, Thaxted in Essex and Hungerford in Berkshire to take part in the KM Charity Team event, which took place at the Mercure Hotel in Maidstone.

The most successful fundraiser was Hana Wynne of Tunbridge Wells, who generated £1,681 for Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource, which was the charity to receive the biggest windfall – £2,686.

Before embarking on the challenge, participants received expert training and support from two-time firewalk world record holder Scott Bell.

Event coordinator Dominic Comins said: “Many congratulations to all the fearless firewalkers who braved the hot coals and rather grim weather at tonight’s event.

“The £14,000 that they raised will make a real difference to charities providing vital services to individuals and communities across and beyond Kent.

“Heavy rain in the lead-up to the challenge threatened to put a very literal dampener on proceedings.

“But the clouds broke just before the action begun, so everybody managed to complete the firewalk without getting drenched.”

The full list of charities to benefit from the event was: the RNLI, Harry’s Giant Pledge (raising money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity), Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK, the Young Lives Foundation, the Huntingdon Disease Association, Yalding addiction charity the Kenward Trust, Hastings Thrives, Child’s Vision, Spadework, Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource, Louie’s Helping Hands, the Net Community Hub, Cats Protection, Kent MS Therapy Centre, Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats, and the QEQM League of Friends.

The firewalk was supported by HR specialists 3D Recruit, and 30 per cent of the money raised will be used to fund the KM Charity Team’s educational initiatives.

The KM Charity Team’s next challenge event is its winter abseil, which takes place in Maidstone on Saturday (October 5). There is no fundraising obligation for the abseil challenge, and fans of adrenaline pursuits are welcome to take part just for fun.