IT WAS a scary prospect to walk over hot coals – but fundraisers managed it in a daring Halloween event.

Thirty-five brave souls psyched themselves up for the first firewalk organised by Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

They were cheered on by a huge crowd which gathered to watch the spectacle in the meadow at Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester.

Keeping in the spirit of Halloween, some participants wore fiendish fancy dress to get themselves in the mood for the barefoot walk over red-hot embers burning at about 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

It was the first event of its kind for Weldmar and the charity’s events co-ordinator Matt Smith said it raised about £9,500.

More than 300 people attended the event. As well as the firewalk there were various stalls and a barbecue.

Matt said walkers had a one hour briefing by experts including a session ‘to get them in the right frame of mind’ for walking over hot coals.

“It was about getting you out of your comfort zone, to believe you could do it,” he said.

Matt added: “It was a brilliant atmosphere. And weirdly for Halloween, it was a balmy night. We were expecting it to be a lot colder. Many people who did the firewalk were brand new Weldmar supporters which was great.

“We’d like to make this an annual event and hope next year it will be bigger and better.”

Everyone completed it successfully and safely – and there weren’t even any blisters.

Weldmar supports people affected by cancer and other life-limiting diseases and is the only agency providing specialist palliative care in north, south and west Dorset.

Other fundraising events coming up include a Christmas market at Joseph Weld Hospice on Sunday, November 30 from 10am-3pm.