A HOTEL manager wasn’t prepared to let a case of cold feet put her off taking part in a fund-raising event for a charity in York.

June Nelsey, who works for Best Western Monkbar Hotel, in York, was one of scores of brave individuals who walked on hot coals to raise money for Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation.

The mind-over-matter event, which took place in the city centre hotel’s car park, was organised by fire walking instructor Lisa Clifford and raised about £1,000.

Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation raises awareness of the importance of personal safety among young travellers, gap year students and backpackers.

It was set up in memory of Caroline Stuttle, the 19-year-old from York who was tragically killed in Australia in 2002.

June said: “This had to be the scariest fundraising event I have ever taken part in. Lisa ensured I was in the right frame of mind and that I was totally focused on the challenge ahead.

“Thank goodness I didn’t lose my concentration and walked over the red hot coals without getting any burns to my feet. If I had cold feet before the challenge, I certainly didn’t by the end of it!”

She said the idea for the event was born at a meeting of the York Business Network during a conversation between Lisa and Marjorie Marks, who founded the foundation in memory of her daughter.

The 22 people who took part in the coal walk were also part of the York Business Network.

The charity event was so successful, June said the Monkbar Hotel would be hosting another one with Lisa on November 14 for a different charity, still to be confirmed.

“It was fantastic, the most exhilarating thing I have ever done,” she added. “You burn a wood pile, then stand in front of it and rake the burning logs so you are left with the burning embers. It was about eight steps for me from the grass, across the coals to grass on the other side. I did it four times – how silly is that?”

She escaped unscathed by the experience. “My feet were dirty but no blisters.”