Firewalk for us

A Former miner is to walk on hot coals for Age UK north Tyneside, the charity who helped him through the grief of losing his wife of 50 years.

A former miner who spent 35 years in the pit will walk on hot coals for the first time to thank the charity that helped him get through the grief of losing his wife. Allan Hudson, from Walkerville, Newcastle, has volunteered for Age UK North Tyneside at their Cedar Grove Wellbeing Centre in Wallsend for almost three years.

He became involved with the charity because he wanted something to occupy him after the death of his wife of 50 years, Brenda, in 2014, and to help make ‘a bit of a difference.’ Now he wants to give something back to Age UK North Tyneside by walking on burning coals, at the Newcastle Firewalk on Wednesday 28th November.

Allan, 77, said: “When my wife passed away I was left with an emptiness. I needed something to do, to give back, to help those not as active as I am able to be. “This experience has allowed me to appreciate and understand elderly people and also understand those with dementia and disability. I love my time with all the customers – every day is different and I enjoy the challenge it brings. “The Fire Walk is another challenge. It is another way to give back through raising funds that will go towards the older people I help to look after.”

Allan and Brenda on their 40th Wedding Anniversary

Allan previously worked two shifts a day to support his family, spending seven hours a day at the pit at Cotgrave Colliery, before heading off to work on a nearby farm. Shortly after Brenda died he began volunteering at Cedar Grove, where he gives between 35 and 40 hours a week to support and entertain older people, as well as doing odd jobs around the building.He is an inspiration to us all and a great ambassador for the value and benefit of volunteering for both himself and those he gives time to support.

He is one of a number of volunteers who work with Age UK North Tyneside, a charity committed to ending loneliness for the 14,000 lonely, older people living in the borough.

Allan will be one of 15 fundraisers from the charity at Kingston Park, who will join other local Age UKs from Sunderland, Gateshead and Northumberland as well as a number of other charities from across the region, in trying to break the world record for the most people doing a fire walk at one time.

You too can walk firewalk for us and help break a World Record right here in the North East!

The current World Record for the most people doing a Firewalk is 1,360. Let’s get 1,500 people participating in this one and smash it.
Be part of something special on Wednesday 28th November 2018 from 6:00pm

This event could also raise £250,000 for local causes with your help.

Why not take part and with sponsorship, raise funds to support Age UK North Tyneside's work with older people?

We're doing it to help end loneliness in North Tyneside #endlonelinessinnorthtyneside

Location:
Newcastle Falcons
11 Brunton Road,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE13 8AF

Only five miles from Newcastle city centre, three miles from Newcastle International Airport, two minutes' drive from the A1 and a five-minute walk from Kingston Park and Bank Foot Metro stations.

For more details:

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