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What an evening. What a challenge. And what an incredible group of supporters. 🙌

We’re still on a high after The Big Fire Walk for Autism 2026, which saw supporters come together at Colchester Rugby Club recently to walk barefoot across glowing embers and raise vital funds for Autism Anglia.

And we’re delighted to reveal that, together, our brilliant firewalkers have already raised an amazing £7,800, with donations still coming in.

Every participant had their own reason for stepping up to the challenge. Some wanted to conquer a fear or tick something extraordinary off their bucket list. Others walked for someone important to them or simply wanted to do something unforgettable while supporting autistic people and their families.

Whatever brought everyone to the fire that evening, they shared one goal: to make a difference to the lives of others.

Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone for Autism

There is something incredibly powerful about standing in front of a pathway of glowing embers and deciding to take that first step.

Before facing the fire, participants received professional training from UK Firewalk, helping prepare them for the challenge ahead. The event was designed to be more than a fundraising challenge; it was an opportunity to push personal boundaries, build confidence and create lasting memories.

And once the walking began, the support surrounding every participant helped make the evening particularly special.

Friends, families, colleagues and fellow participants cheered each other on as, one by one, our firewalkers crossed the embers.

For some, it was something they had wanted to do for years. For others, it was something they may never have imagined themselves doing until they signed up.

But every person who completed the challenge could walk away knowing they’d achieved something extraordinary.

An Incredible £7,800 Raised (and Counting)

Taking on the Fire Walk is an achievement in itself. But our participants didn’t stop there.

Through sponsorship and the generosity of friends, families, colleagues and communities, the event has raised £7,800 so far, with the final total continuing to grow.

We’re incredibly grateful to every person who:

🩷 Took part in the Fire Walk
🩷 Sponsored a participant
🩷 Shared a fundraising page
🩷 Came along to support our firewalkers
🩷 Helped spread the word about the event

Whether you walked across the embers yourself, donated, or simply shared somebody’s story, you’ve played a part in what we’ve achieved together.

Where Your Fundraising Makes a Difference

The money raised will help us continue delivering support and opportunities for autistic people and their families across the region, through services like Community Connect, specialist education, residential and supported living services and day services through our Connect Centres.

Our Community Connect service, for example, provides free autism and ADHD advice and support for young people under 25 and their families, including practical guidance around education, life changes, benefits and accessing other services. Families do not need a formal diagnosis to seek help.

Our Connect Centres in Colchester and Dereham meanwhile provide autistic adults with opportunities to develop skills, explore interests, build independence and make connections with others.

Fundraising from events like the Fire Walk helps us continue creating these opportunities and providing support where it is needed.

That means every step across the fire had an impact extending far beyond the event itself.

Thank You to UK Firewalks

An event like this couldn’t happen without the people working behind the scenes.

We’d therefore like to extend a huge thank you to UK Firewalks, whose professional team provided the training and supported our participants through their Fire Walk experience.

Their expertise helped bring this year’s challenge to life and gave our participants an experience they’ll hopefully remember for a very long time.

Thank You to Our Incredible Firewalkers

Most importantly, we want to say one enormous thank you to every person who stepped forward and took on the challenge.

You signed up. You fundraised. You faced the fire. And you did something amazing for autistic people and their families.

Feeling Inspired? Take on Your Own Challenge for Autism Anglia

Perhaps you’ve seen the video and thought: “I wish I’d done that“. Or maybe watching our firewalkers take on their challenge has inspired you to find one of your own.

From running and walking to adrenaline challenges, family fundraising and corporate events, there are plenty of ways to get involved with Autism Anglia. Our events programme includes opportunities for different interests and different levels of challenge, all with the shared aim of raising vital funds for autistic people and their families.

You don’t have to walk across fire to make a difference. You just need to find the challenge that’s right for you.

👉 Visit our events page to find your next fundraising challenge and join #TeamAutismAnglia.

Photo credit: UK Firewalk