š„ The Firewalk is Back for 2026 š„
Following the success of last year's event, we're bringing the challenge back for World Mental Health Day.
Join us on Saturday 10th October 2026 at Sea Scrub Sauna, Folkestone, for an unforgettable experience in support of local mental health and wellbeing services. Whether you're taking part on your own, with friends and family, or as part of a workplace team, every step across the embers will help ensure local support remains available to those who need it most.
We're delighted to be partnering once again with Saga, whose sponsorship is helping make the event possible, and Sea Scrub Sauna, who will be hosting this year's Firewalk. Their support helps ensure that more of the money raised can go directly towards supporting local people.
Event Details
Date: Saturday 10th October 2026
Location: Sea Scrub Sauna, Folkestone
Start Time: Registration open from 6:00pm, with the pre-walk briefing to begin at 6:30pm, and the Firewalk to start at 7:30pm once the sun has set! (Start time may shift slightly, weāll keep you updated via email closer to the event.)
Individual Entry
Individual Entry Fee: Ā£20
Sponsorship Goal: Suggested minimum sponsorship Ā£80.
Team Entry (team of 5)
Team Entry Fee: Ā£80 (1 place free)
Sponsorship Goal: Suggested minimum sponsorship Ā£350.
Why Join Us?
By joining the Firewalk, you'll be helping us continue to provide free mental health and wellbeing services to people across our communities. As an independent local charity, every pound raised stays local and is reinvested directly into our services, helping us support those who need us most. Last year alone, we supported more than 2,000 people, with their mental wellbeing.
This firewalk represents far more than just a fundraising challenge, itās part of our wider commitment to wellbeing on our coastline. We know that nature, the sea and community connection can have a positive impact on mental health. Together, we're helping to build healthier, more resilient communities from Deal to Dungeness. Whether you take part on your own, with friends and family, or as part of a workplace team, every step across the embers will help ensure local mental health support remains available to those who need it most.
Ready to take on the challenge? Sign up today and be part of something bigger.
What is a Firewalk?
A Firewalk is a challenge event which has grown in popularity recently. Although it sounds dangerous, it is more of a thrill-seeking event than something which puts you in actual danger. UK Firewalk have never had anyone undertake a firewalk who has required medical attention following the walk.
Participants will undergo training of around one hour prior to the walk. When the fire has burned to red-hot embers, it is raked level and prepared for the walk. Participants go to the fire, remove their footwear and one by one are invited to walk the coals!
Is it a trick?
No ā the fire is very real. The embers will be glowing red-hot and the temperature often reaches around 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. You will have bare feet, and they will not have been treated in any way.
Will it hurt?
The sensation is described by some as walking on eggshells, and others as walking on hot sand. Each walker has their own experience. UK Firewalk have not known anyone to experience pain, and when the opportunity arises many will walk across the coals more than once.
How should I prepare?
There is no preparation to undertake. No treatment of the feet or mental exercise, just the training provided at the seminar before the firewalk. You should abstain from the consumption of alcohol or drugs prior to the event. Any person who is in the opinion of the trainer unfit to participate will NOT be permitted to take part.
Please ensure your feet are clean and free from massage and pedicure oils.
How fit do I need to be?
There is no strenuous physical exercise involved. If you can walk normally then you should manage the Firewalk perfectly well. If you have any doubts please consult your GP before attending.
What should I wear?
There is no special clothing required. Casual comfortable clothes are best. Please remember fires can be quite dirty and clothes may become ash stained. Footwear needs to be easy to remove and will need to be replaced before going back indoors so a hand towel might be a good idea. Flip flops are a good idea, especially if the ground is cold. Nail varnish and toe rings are fine.
Are there any medical restrictions?
UK Firewalk have many people walk who are pregnant, have diabetes, stroke survivors, and are blind amongst many other conditions. None have been an issue, however we always recommend if in doubt seek advice from your doctor.
Is it safe?
There is an inherent risk in any activity involving fire. It is important that participants pay attention to all the training and heed the advice and instruction of the trainer, firewatchers and spotters. Whilst absolute safety is not guaranteed proper procedure reduces risk to the achievable minimum.
Need to know more?
If you would like to know more, please visit the UK Firewalk FAQ Page or get in touch with us by emailing contact@southkentmind.org.uk or call 01303 250090
Fundraising & Donations
All the funds raised through this Firewalk will enable South Kent Mind to provide essential services and groups which support the mental health of our community.
Suggested Sponsorship Goal: Ā£80 per individual participant, Ā£350 per Team of 5, which will entitle you to a special T-Shirt on the night!
How to Fundraise and Donate
For this event, we have set up a JustGiving campaign page specifically for South Kent Mindās Firewalk to ensure the process of fundraising and donating is quick and easy, and straightforward to share with friends and family.
We are encouraging participants to set up their own personal fundraising page on JustGiving which is connected to this event:
- Create your own fundraising page connected to South Kent Mindās official Firewalk campaign page in a few quick and easy steps by following this link: Create my own āFirewalkā fundraising page.
- Once you have created your own page, you can share with friends and family via Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, or even copy the link and send to anyone who wishes to donate and support your walk!
- All the funds you raise through your own page will contribute towards the overall amount on the āFirewalkā main campaign page.
If you are unable to create your own fundraising page and would prefer to raise cash from your supporters, then please get in touch with us: contact@southkentmind.org.uk and we can send you sponsorship forms. If you require any support with your fundraising, please get in touch.
Thank you for your generous support, and good luck with your fundraising!
Registration Form
You may register as an individual or a team. For team registrations, please provide the lead entrant's details. Entrants must be over 18.
Firewalk 2026 Terms & Conditions
These Terms and Conditions apply to anyone taking part in the South Kent Mind Firewalk 2026. We want to ensure you have an amazing experience, so please read through this document carefully. Upon registration to this event, you agree to and accept these Terms and Conditions.
Bookings, Prices and Payment
Registration for the event is via the South Kent Mind website.
Please carefully enter all relevant details when booking online, and ensure your email address is correct as you will receive entry confirmation of your online booking using the email address provided, and we will use this email to communicate with you regarding the event.
Online registration for the event will close at 23:59 on Thursday 8th October 2026.
The cost of participating in this Firewalk is Ā£20 per person. For a group of 5 the total cost is Ā£80.
We are only able to offer refunds if the participant is unable to take part due to exceptional circumstances such as loss of a close relative or injury preventing participation. Please contact us where this is the case.
Subject to the above, tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you are unable to participate, please let us know as soon as possible. You must not exchange, sell or transfer your challenge ticket to anyone else and we reserve the right to refuse participation where this is found to have taken place.
Sponsorship
When fundraising, you must use lawful means and not do anything to cause harm to South Kent Mind.
Participants are required to fundraise using a JustGiving fundraising page which they are encouraged to create following registration.
Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship funds for South Kent Mind. A minimum of Ā£80 sponsorship is requested for this firewalk from individual participants.
For teams of 5, the minimum sponsorship is Ā£350. Sponsorship funds may not be used to cover personal expenses.
Individual participants who raise a minimum of Ā£80 will be entitled to a South Kent Mind Firewalk T-shirt. Teams of 5 who raise Ā£350 will be entitled to a South Kent Mind Firewalk T-shirt.
Please make it clear to all that support you that 100% of their sponsorship will be passed to South Kent Mind.
Participants who are unable to create a JustGiving page are permitted to raise cash, and should request sponsorship forms from the South Kent Mind team. Participants should bring sponsorship monies (together with sponsorship forms) along to the event. Please bring them in a sealed envelope and pass them to a South Kent Mind staff member.
Safety
This firewalk is strictly for those over the age of 18. We will not accept participants under the age of 18.
For participants with a disability, please contact us on 01303 250090 for more details about the event and discuss reasonable adjustments.
If you are pregnant we advise you contact your GP to seek professional medical advice prior to entering. You take part at your own risk and South Kent Mind can accept no liability or responsibility for potential issues for mother or child as a result of participation.
We advise you to wear sensible clothing to take part in the firewalk challenge.
We will operate the event with zero tolerance to the use of illegal substances prior or during the event.
The safety of everyone involved in the event is paramount and you must follow all instructions and guidelines at all times. Failure to do so may lead to us refusing you entry to participate in the firewalk.
South Kent Mind reserves the right to refuse your participation from the event, if you are under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances or consumption of either, during the event. We will have zero tolerance to abusive behaviour of any kind including verbal, emotional or physical harm towards our staff, volunteers, participants or anyone associated with the event including the general public and passers-by, and will remove you from the event immediately without liability and where appropriate, may report any actions as a criminal offence to the police.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in a good physical condition and able to participate in this event and if you have any doubts, seek qualified medical advice from your GP before participating in the event.
Risk
There are inherent risks in any physical activity and this event is no exception. As you would expect an endurance event carries a risk of personal harm, so you need to be aware of any risks to you personally and any conditions you may have that could be exacerbated by this activity and assume personal responsibility for your participation and actions during the event.
By participating in this event, you fully accept and agree that the organisers or any person associated with this activity will not be held liable for any loss, damage or injury to you that may occur during or in connection with this activity.
We and you will comply with all applicable laws, statutes, regulations and codes in force from time to time.
Changes to the Event and Cancellation
We reserve the right to alter the time of the event at any time without liability.
We will communicate any changes to the event via the email address and telephone number provided during the booking process.
If it is necessary to delay, postpone or cancel the event due to reasons beyond our reasonable control, we will endeavour to reschedule the event and permit entry to all previously paid participants. If you are unable to participate in the rescheduled event we will offer you a refund. A) Sponsorship funds will be refunded in full. B) 50% of the registration fee will be refunded.
If we delay, postpone or cancel the event due to reasons beyond our reasonable control, we cannot accept any liability for losses you may suffer including but not limited to travel or accommodation expenses incurred.
Photography and Video
Photographs and videos will be taken at the event for publicity purposes to help promote the event and create memories for those taking part. They could also be used in South Kent Mind promotional materials. By entering the event you agree to South Kent Mind using any materials you may feature in, for the purposes outlined above. If you do not wish to be included in any promotional materials please let us know contact@southkentmind.org.uk
Photographs and videos will come from a wide range of sources, including volunteers and spectators. If approached by a photographer or videographer, we ask that you participate in good spirits, however if you do not wish to be filmed or photographed, please let them know politely when approached. We reserve the right to use photographs or videos supplied to us by third parties where you might be included for the reasons outlined above.
Data Protection
South Kent Mind takes the protection of your information seriously. The Charity is committed to ensuring that it complies with the eight principles of good practice within GPDR 2018. We only obtain personal information with your consent and will only use it in a fair and lawful way to further the objectives of the Charity.
We will always store your personal details securely. We will use them to provide you with the service that you have requested, and communicate with you in the way(s) that you have agreed to. Please be assured that your details will not be passed on to third parties.
You can opt out of receiving communications at any time by calling 01303 250090 or email contact@southkentmind.org.uk
If you have any specific questions about the event, or require assistance with your fundraising, please contact Joe Tolhurst on 01303 250090, or email joe.tolhurst@southkentmind.org.uk