Hot-footing it to casualty is doing nobody any favours
Published on 07/02/2006
Original article at news and star
Brave: But Scott Bell ended up in hospital
FAR be it from me to knock a good charity idea,
but Carlisle fire-walker Scott Bell must qualify for the award for the most
stupid stunt so far in 2006.
His world record attempt, to raise money for
a local school, ended up in a Newcastle hospital.
Scott's trip to
hospital, although thankfully his injuries were minor, probably cost more than
the amount he raised by his world record stunt of walking 75 yards across hot
coals.
He fire-walks professionally for charities, public events and
corporate team building days.
These barmy team building events are great
- for the people who earn money by putting them on. But there's no evidence they
create a better spirit among workers.
Only last week a corporate
development company working in London was fined £3,000 with nearly £5,000 costs
under health and safety regulations after a woman ended up in agony with burnt
feet while doing a fire-walk challenge.
She was told the walk would imbue
trust in others and overcome her fears. She finished up in the emergency ward at
the nearby hospital.
By all means take up fire-walking if it's your
thing, but don't expect anyone sensible to follow you.