PhotographyWalking on fire for cats in need
A story about Feline Fine Foundation's passion and dedication to help cats who need it the most
There's something poetic about walking into the fire so another creature doesn't have to suffer
If you'd ask me, I'd say that such empathy towards other vulnerable creatures is the essence of what makes us human. And is there something that emphasizes this empathy better than an act of walking onto sharp glass and into embers of fire to raise £5000 to help cats? Well I'm about to tell you a story of Lucinda and Feline Fine Foundation who walked the fire for cats and surpassed the fundraise goal raising over £8000 - some damn brave humans those are.
Now the goal stands at £10000 and I wouldn't be surprised if it changes again soon, having the brief opportunity of getting to know those amazing people I know they don't fully understand the term "impossible" - and kudos to them for that. If you, who somehow found this blog entry, want to be part of this and help then it's not too late, the fundraising is still going. Even when it will be over, know that the help people from the Feline Fine Foundation provide is never over, and they always could use with a little help.
Close your eyes and make your birthday wish
What did you wish for? A pay rise? New phone? Incarceration of people responsible for the state of the housing market? When most people tend to focus on themselves, Lucinda from Feline Fine Foundation wished to help cats. That's it - help cats. To help the creatures she cares the most about, ones that cannot take care of themselves. A wish worthy of utmost respect in itself but Lucinda didn't leave her wish to blind luck, she decided to walk through fire to make it come true.
At some point during photographing the event I started to think - was it really Lucinda's wish that came true? Or was it the wish of those cats that came true? What if they meowed for help so hard, wishing for people like Lucinda and her team to take care of them? Whichever way it happened, I'm so glad it happened.
Making the world a better place
Such a bold and overused phrase, isn't it? But what if you'd know that the power to make it happen lies in our hands? Well, it's true. I have witnessed it first-hand. Lucinda's birthday fundraising is the evidence of how big a difference a little help can make. The success of the fundraising wasn't thanks to a billionaire or a couple of people fortunate to have a spare thousand pounds here and there. It was a joint effort of lots of wonderful people who donated ten, thirty, fifty pounds. One might think that a £10 note cannot make a difference, but take a hundred or more people who don't think this way and well... You can see the results by yourself.
On the fundraising page we can find out that the monthly cost of running the foundation is £1000, which means the volunteers don't have to worry about the next 8 upcoming months. That's a lot, isn't it? And all it took was staying true to our diet and skipping a breakfast at McDonalds or making a coffee this time at home.
The coal wasn't cold, same goes for the hearts of all of those who walked through it
The Firewalk Experience crew led by Chris Jones made sure to put an emphasis on the word "experience". Chris being a film director, who worked among others on Mission: Impossible, turned the whole night into an uplifting story straight from the big screen and we were all part of it. Chris not merely led us into the fire but inspired all of us. There were tears, doubts, fear but also determination, strength, joy and freedom.
Being just a photographer for the event I didn't expect to hear so many valuable life coaching lessons that directly applied to me. Was it life changing? I don't know, time will tell. Did it open my eyes and give me the courage to change my life for the better? Definitely yes.
Fire, music, cider and a world champion
The event was hosted by Hedger’s Cider House in Redhill and they did an amazing job at showing what hospitality really is about. The fireplace was hot, the cider cold and the atmosphere was jolly.
How could it be different when behind the DJ console stood no one else but Steve Davis, the six time snooker world champion!
What a night, huh? If I was you I'd consider following Lucinda and Feline Fine Foundation as I'm pretty sure they are just getting started. I can't imagine how they'd top this up, but somehow I know they will, and it would be a damn shame to miss that.
Thank you
Kudos to Lucinda and Feline Fine Foundation for the hard work they are doing, to Chris Jones and his crew from the Firewalk Experience for the unforgettable night, to Hedger’s Cider House for hosting the event and keeping the cider coming and to all the amazing people who took part and raised money for this noble cause.
I'm feeling honoured having the opportunity of documenting this absolute spectacle of an event it was. Thank you!
