Take part in a novel fundraiser at the Great Saddleworth Firewalk Challenge

Thrill seekers are to be given an irresistible chance to take part in a novel fundraiser at the Great Saddleworth Firewalk Challenge.

 

The event is being organised by Sophie Heywood from Lydgate, on behalf of CRIBS International a refugee charity which houses and supports refugee women with newborn babies in Greece.   

 

Participants in the challenge, who must be aged 16 or over, will walk over hot embers barefoot, following training from the experts at the event to be staged at Saddleworth Rangers, Greenfield, from 6.30pm on Saturday, November 26.

 

There is an afterparty planned at the Rangers clubhouse to celebrate the intrepid entrants, with bar, food and music. 

 

Spectators are welcome at the family friendly event with a small donation on entry plus there will be a Legowalk Challenge for children. 

 

Tickets for firewalking cost £35 each, with a discount available for groups of four. Training starts at 6:30pm and spectators are welcome from 7:15pm.  

 

Sophie, who has spent time in Greece volunteering, says: "Lots of people go on holiday to Greece, but don’t know of the dire situation for refugees who have fled conflict in DRC, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Syria. 

 

“The women CRIBS helps have endured unimaginable trauma and most are survivors of sexual exploitation and rape. They receive little to no support from the authorities and many are left to live on the streets. 

 

“We hear from women who are  forced to eat out of bins whilst heavily pregnant, women living in parks with newborn babies, and women told their baby will be taken from them because they have nowhere to live. It is hard to imagine this is happening in a European country, but I've seen it for myself." 

 

CRIBS provides life changing support and shelter for these women, but relies on the generosity of donors and fundraising events to enable them to continue. 

 

"We would love for participants to ask friends and family to sponsor them too, to raise as much as we can for our work,” she said.

 

“We are a small charity and have a huge impact. Just £50 pays for two weeks rent in a shared flat for one of our families. 

 

"I've been out to Greece several times to volunteer with different organisations, and CRIBS is one of a handful of tiny organisations in Athens doing their best with very little money to give these women and their babies a helping hand.”

 

Sophie works alongside Sally Hyman, founder of CRIBS International who lives in Springhead, and a team of local and international volunteers. Their mission is simple - providing dignity and empowerment through shelter, safety and support. 

 

She added: “We are very lucky to have a team of wonderful local volunteers and supporters across Oldham, Saddleworth and Mossley and wanted to do something a bit different to get the community together and raise funds.

 

 And Saddleworth Rangers have provided the venue for free, meaning more of the money raised goes directly to support the families." 

 

The event is sponsored by Well-i-hole Farm Shop at the campsite on Well-i-hole Road, Greenfield, between Freizland and the Royal George. 

 

You can find more information on the ticket page -  ticketlab.co.uk/events/cribsinternational 

and Facebook event -  The Great Saddleworth Firewalk Challenge

or email info@cribsinternational.org

 

 

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