Leuchie House is preparing to host its second fundraising firewalk, after the smoking-hot success of the inaugural event last autumn.

The challenge, which sees brave participants walk 20 feet over burning embers, raised £9,000 for the North Berwick charity last year, with organisers hoping to better that figure this time around.

Among those who entered last year was Leuchie’s HR manager Lucy Hyde, who said she would encourage people to take part to raise money for the charity, which offers respite breaks for people suffering with various long-term conditions.

And one of those who has followed that advice and is now preparing to brave the burning embers this October 17 is Carolyn Cunningham, from Haddington.

The mum was “amazed” by the work at Leuchie House and was determined to do her bit.

She said: “My dad is refusing to come and watch me – he is horrified by it!

“I just said if people are suffering from illnesses like MS, MND, Huntington’s, Parkinsons disease, Cerebral Palsy and other long-term conditions, then I can do something like this.

“This is an absolute challenge but if I can get over my fear of doing it, then this very small thing I am doing is nothing major really compared to the awfulness people with these illnesses go through every minute.” The 45-year-old, from Haddington’s Clerkington Road, works at Prestonpans Health Centre and covers Longniddry, Port Seton and Tranent.

She knew various friends, family and patients who suffered from conditions and used Leuchie House.

She added: “I just find it amazing that Leuchie House manages to fund itself purely through charitable donations.

“It is not Government funding – it is just an amazing place and I have no idea how they do it.” And after then Courier reporter Joel Sked took part in the challenge last year, two of the paper’s existing team are following in his hopefully unburnt footsteps.

Reporter Gavin Harper, who joined the Courier in May, is looking forward to the challenge.

He said: “It isn’t like anything I’ve ever really done before, so it will be an interesting challenge.

“It’s all in the name of a good cause, so I’m sure it will be fine.” Meanwhile, senior reporter Cameron Ritchie was similarly looking forward to kicking off his socks and shoes and getting down to business.

He said: “It’s something I have always wanted to do but never really had the chance.

“I’m getting a little bit more nervous the closer to the big night but, at the end of the day, what is the worst that could happen?” To sponsor Carolyn go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CarolynCunningham1 or to sponsor Gavin and Cameron go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/hotoffthepress