Hauled over the coals for Jewish Blind & Disabled

The young patron board of Jewish Blind & Disabled hauled supporters over the coals with a firewalk challenge to raise funds for JBD’s services.

Among those taking part was the charity’s chief executive, Lisa Wimborne, who admitted to being a reluctant participant. “But having spent the past few months meeting our tenants, I recognised that this challenge was insignificant compared to the challenges that they face on a daily basis. It was great to be walking alongside our fantastic young supporters, who represent a bright future.”

The youngest of the firewalkers, who were cheered on by 40 spectators, was Josh Feldman, a year nine student at Kantor King Solomon High School in Redbridge.

He was inspired by the memory of his visually impaired great-grandmother Betty, who was a tenant at a JBD home. “I remember visiting her there and she was really happy.”

Young patron board member Leah Port said that for many of those helped by the charity, “every day is like walking on hot coals. Before moving into our specialist developments, they were often unable to leave their homes, made a prisoner by their disability.”

But living in one of “our specially designed one or two-bedroom mobility apartments gives them a whole new lease of life”.

More than £12,000 was raised from the event.