VOLUNTEERS who are willing to try something a little different are being asked to walk on fire to help children with special needs.

Stepping Stones, the west Wiltshire opportunity group for children with special needs, is holding the world's shortest sponsored walk across 20ft of wood embers burning at 1,200c.

Barbara Jansen, one of the Stepping Stones staff who has already volunteered, said: "It is quite a frightening thought but I have heard such good things about it from people who have done it.

"I am looking forward to the challenge. It is one of those things you think you can't possibly do until you do."

The firewalk has been organised by Blaze, a professional company that has been organising these events for the past 13 years.

Stepping Stones needs at least 30 people to take part to make it worth doing and are appealing for local businesses to help out, through sponsoring staff to take part or sponsoring the event itself.

Jackie Chisling, from Stepping Stones, said: "People can wear their company's logo and advertise in that way, so it will benefit everyone."

Stepping Stones helps pre-school children from across west Wiltshire with a wide variety of special needs from Downs Syndrome, autism and Cerebral Palsy to syndromes so rare they have no name.

The group receives some funding from Wiltshire County Council and from the health service but it still needs to raise £40,000 a year itself in order to carry on providing the valuable service it does.

There are 64 children attending the centre at the moment, with a further 16 on the waiting list to get in.

The service is free and the children receive a huge amount of help, including hydrotherapy, music therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Parents have somewhere they can get in touch with others in a similar situation as themselves and get the support and help they need in ensuring their child gets the right benefits, education and therapy.

The firewalk will take place at the King George V playing fields in Melksham, after the carnival parade on July 16. Everyone taking part will have a two-hour training session beforehand, with the walk itself scheduled to take place at 9.45pm.

Participants must be over 18, although 16 and 17 year olds can take part if they have written parental permission, and are being asked to raise a minimum of £150 sponsorship.

For further details call Barbara Jansen on (01225) 350015.