A NORTH Yorkshire woman who braved extreme heat during a fire-walking challenge has handed over hundreds of pounds to the county's St John Ambulance service.

Julie Hallam, who works at the Pickering branch of Yorkshire Building Society, was among staff who recommended the charity to her company's charitable foundation.

Julie had previously handed over £68 in sponsorship when she took part in the St John Ambulance-organised firewalking challenge in September.

She is pictured here giving a cheque for £584 from the foundation to David Sutton, fundraising director for St John Ambulance. Julie said: "We were very happy to recommend St John Ambulance, as the services they provide not only in our local community, but across the UK is extremely important and has made a difference to the lives of many. I'm relieved to say that there was no need to call upon St John's services following the event."

The money will go into general St John Ambulance funds.

Updated: 10:20 Wednesday, December 11, 2002