VETERAN fundraiser Ian Waddell has described his latest venture as a ’strange experience’ after walking over hot coals to raise money for Blind Veterans UK.

Octogenarian ex-soldier, Ian told the Chronicle, ’I can’t explain how one can walk-on hot embers at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. It was so strange; I did it twice to see if could find an answer but all to no avail.

’The first time it felt a little warm but nothing to cause any concern, the second time it was just like walking normally.’

’About 30 people took part and all successful with no accidents, we had an induction of an hour beforehand and it was explained that it could be dangerous if instructions were not carried out.

This was done by the World record holder,so obviously had good advice.’

Ian took on the challenge to support the 4,000 blind UK veterans of which nearly 400 live in Wales. The charity is one of the oldest service charities in existence having been around for over a century.

A former sergeant major, Ian, from Abergavenny, is no stranger to walking - he has trekked across the Sahara, undertaken a 2,000 mile walk around England and ran 100 miles in two days at the age of 69 to raise money for war veterans but this is the first time he has attempted this particular challenge.

Ian has spent decades raising funds for forces charities through his walking but now, while the desire to get out among the hills remains, severe osteoarthritis in both feet and recent knee and hip replacements mean that Ian has been advised to walk in company as a precaution in case of injury.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Ian’s fundraising efforts can contact him at [email protected].