Reverend Rod Reid signs up for the Firewalk Challenge!

 

We’re thrilleds to announce that Reverend Rod Reid, the vicar of St Mary’s Church in Bocking, will be joining our annual Firewalk on World Mental Health Day, Thursday, 10th October! The event will take place at Anglia Ruskin University, Writtle Campus, Chelmsford, and Rev. Reid is ready to face the heat and take on this incredible challenge to raise awareness and funds for mental health support in our community.

 

 

Rev. Reid, who has completed two marathons in the past, has always been dedicated to supporting charitable causes. This will be his first Firewalk, and he admits to feeling both excited and anxious about it. He shared his motivation, saying:

 

“I’ve never done a firewalk before, I’m both excited and anxious. It’s a matter of ‘mind over matter’ but I’ve got to get over the fear that I will actually be walking across fire! My motivation for doing the firewalk is that since the Covid pandemic, mental health issues have really come into the spotlight. I’ve been the minister at several funerals in my parish where, sadly, young men have taken their own lives, and the number of them has truly shocked me and increased my awareness of the issue.”

 

Rev. Reid’s experience shows how vital it is to raise awareness about mental health, especially after witnessing first hand the impact it can have on individuals and families within his parish. By participating in the Firewalk, he hopes to bring attention to mental health issues and encourage others to get the support they need.

 

 

As part of his journey, Rev. Reid aims to inspire others in his community to step up, support mental health awareness, and take on the Firewalk challenge. He knows that overcoming fear is a powerful message and believes this experience will showcase how resilience and determination can make a difference.

 

Rev. Reid shared how Mid and North East Essex Mind has played a crucial role in his community:

 

 “Mid and North East Essex Mind has hosted some of their mental health toolkit sessions in my parish, and they have been very beneficial to those feeling anxious, depressed, or helpless. Now I’m doing this challenge, walking over fire, to raise money for the charity and to raise the profile of the work they do and help they offer to the community.”

 

 

You can participate in this exciting event and help raise funds for us to continue providing quality mental health services for our community. The Firewalk is open to all, and participants will receive:

 

– A life-changing firewalk experience

– A delicious wood-fired oven pizza

– A commemorative certificate

 

The registration fee is £35 per person (or £120 for a team of four), and we encourage everyone to raise £100 in sponsorship.

 

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to make a difference. Whether you’re walking the coals or cheering from the sidelines, every bit of support counts!