Charity firewalk is no sweat for Peterborough Apprentice star Joseph
He was on fire in The Apprentice, so taking on a firewalk was no sweat for Peterborough businessman Joseph Valente.
The Impra Gas founder had no problems withstanding the heat of Lord Sugar’s boardroom when he became his business partner in 2015, so some burning coals were never going to trouble him when he visited the Three Horseshoes in Yaxley last Saturday evening for a charity firewalk.
“I found it very exhilarating,” he said. “It was a great experience and I was very excited to do it.
“It’s one of those things I wanted to tick off the bucket list and it was for a great cause.”
That cause is the Young People’s Counselling Service which is based in Yaxley and Whittlesey but helps children from many areas of Peterborough.
The charity recently lowered the age at which it offers counselling to young people to 11, with self-referrals or referrals from a GP or parent accepted.
Psychotherapist Michelle Lay from the charity organised the firewalk in just six weeks with the help of local businesses.
She said it costs approximately £33,000 to run the counselling service for a year with the money only coming in from donations. The support from the people of Yaxley has been amazing,” she added.
“I have worked for the charity for nearly two years from Yaxley Group Practice and we see local children who are 11 to 16 years who need emotional and psychological support.
“Our service is in high demand and our waiting list grows daily. Every event is important in keeping the service going.”
