Patients, families and staff came together to take part in a Fire Walk at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre to raise funds for the centre.

Participants taking part in this daring feat faced the challenge of walking barefoot across red hot coals.

The event, which raised an incredible £21,400, was organised by East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity which supports Mount Vernon Cancer Centre and raises funds to enhance the care provided at the centre.

Katie Gallagher, a ward clerk at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, was one of the 42 people who took part in the event. She wanted to thank the centre for looking after both her dad and her late husband - 'her boys'.

Katie said: “It was really exciting, and quite scary, but we had an expert to train us on what to do beforehand. I’m proud of myself for doing it. It was for my boys – my dad and my late husband who were both cared for at Mount Vernon. I did it to thank the team for looking after them both so well.”

Beth McNeil, head of fundraising, added: “It was a brilliant event and so exciting to see people overcome their fears and walk on red hot coals. Thank you to everyone who took part. You are all incredible!

“We heard lots of moving stories about why people were taking part. Everyone wanted to do it to thank the staff at the centre for looking after them or their loved ones.

“It is always going to be a difficult time when you are having treatment, or seeing your loved one have treatment, for cancer. We raise funds to support our amazing medical teams to try and make it a little easier.”

“The funds raised by these amazingly brave fire walkers will help us make improvements to the indoor and outdoor spaces, help us provide items such as scalp cooling caps to reduce the risk of hair loss through chemotherapy and help us continue to fund complementary therapy to help patients cope with their diagnosis and treatment. Thank you again.”