Police Staff Fire Walk

18 September 2013, 13:55 | Updated: 18 September 2013, 14:00

Firewalk

There aren't many people who will walk over hot coals for anyone - but two Gloucestershire police staff members will be doing just that in order to raise money for a charity close to their hearts.

Stroud PCSO Debbie Flay and police staff member Jackie Campbell from the Force's training department, will be taking part in a sponsored fire walk over 20 feet of burning coals on 4 October 2013 to raise money for Gloucestershire's only Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Treatment Centre. The firewalk will take place in Bristol at Queens Square.
 
Jackie has benefitted directly from the treatment centre. who was only recently diagnosed with MS. Debbie's mum, who sadly passed away last year, also had MS but unfortunately was unaware of the Centre and the services it offers. It’s hoped the firewalk will make people realise that there's a local group dedicated to making things better for those who have the condition.
 
The centre is dependant on donations to keep going, which is particulary significant as they prepare to move to new premises in Gloucester where they can offer those who suffer from MS state of the art facilities which have been proven to make a real difference to people's quality of life.
 
Debbie explained why she's taking part in the firewalk:

"I want to help the Centre in memory of my mum Hazel who was diagnosed with MS when she was 20, so we as family lived with the illness for 50 years until she died aged 70. For us, living with MS was our 'normal' way of life - although extremely difficult at times, particularly at the end. But my mum was an incredible woman, always positive and encouraging. She would say 'you only get one life, enjoy every precious minute'. She was a huge inspiration to anyone who was blessed to have her in their lives and the courage with which she dealt with the illness was humbling.
 
I particularly wanted to raise money for the local MS Information & Treatment Centre, as they are self funding so any money raised has a direct impact on local people's lives. The centre gives them the opportunity of a variety of treatments to ease their symptoms.
 
Keeping people positive and supported on their journey is something I know my mum would have loved to be a part of."
 
Jackie also has her personal reasons:

"My health was going downhill and after many, many medical tests on my brain and spine, late last year I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  The shock of this knocked me for six and - quite honestly - I didn't know where to turn. I had questions I needed answering and confusion totally set in. I searched the Web, listened to people and read books about the disease.
 
Fortunately, someone mentioned to me the Multiple Sclerosis Information and Therapy Centre (which is currently based in Quedgeley, just off the Cole Avenue junction on the way into the city).  On the spur of the moment, I popped in to find out more. The moment I walked through the door I felt I was in the right place.  I was made to feel extremely welcome. I now visit twice a week for acupuncture and massages - and for general fellowship.
 
MS is a disease which can affect people from youngsters to the elderly. It varies in extremes and I consider myself very lucky to be able to work and live a fairly active life.  Some people aren't so lucky.  My condition is helped by strong medications and a good support from my family, health officials and - of course - the MS Therapy centre.
 
The Centre has been in the same place for over 25 years, but now it's time for it to move on and find another local location which is accessible and able to offer more support and treatments. That's why me and Debs want people to support us".
 
People can support Debbie and Jackie by visiting their Justgiving page