A ROSS-on-Wye dad proved he can stand the heat after walking 20 feet on hot coals.

Pete Johnson walked barefoot on the coals to raise money for National Star which supports young people with disabilities and learning difficulties in Hereford and surrounding areas.

The 48-year-old is head of commercial enterprise at the charity and was one of 69 people who take part in the fire walk.

Firewalking experts Blaze ran the event at the National Star campus in Cheltenham, which started with a two-hour training session.

Pete said: “I was terrified at the thought of it all, if I am honest but in the end it was amazing.

“After the motivational talk you have so much self-belief you can tackle anything. It was just the best feeling after I did it.”

National Star Hereford was launched three years ago and is based in Harrow Road. It provides specialist further education for 13 young people, including work experience and relevant therapies such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.

The fire-walkers’ efforts have raised more than £6,000 for the charity.

National Star, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, also runs supported internships in Hereford. The charity’s Steps Into Work internships at Wessington Court Farm, Woolhope, support people aged 16 to 25 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan into sustained work.

Each intern has a personalised programme and is supported by a tutor, job coach and host employer to help them achieve their aspirations.