If you saw daredevils walking over smouldering coals and broken glass in Maidstone’s Jubilee Square on Friday, you might have thought a stunt show was in town.

It was in fact the Fire & Ice Walk, a Heart of Kent Hospice fundraiser.

The Aylesford charity, which has cared for more than 10,000 people in 25 years, has recently launched its Get Behind Heart of Kent Hospice campaign, which hopes to raise £600,000 this year to help safeguard vital services it provides to the community.

Due to government funding cuts, the hospice relies on public donations to make up 84% of the running costs.

The Friday fundraiser was sponsored by Maidstone business Project 64, a brand, design and digital agency that has recently joined the hospice’s 100 Club, in which members pledge to raise £1,000 a year.

Matt Hobbs, the agency’s director, said: “Heart of Kent Hospice offers so many fantastic events to get involved in that you are spoilt for choice. The Fire & Ice Walk is a great example, offering something exciting for participants and supporters alike, and we at Project 64 are very proud to be sponsors.”

Rather than having to choose between broken glass or hot coals, Mr Hobbs participated in both walks on the night.

He was joined by 29 supporters, ranging from members of the public to people who already give their time to the hospice, who were helped along by the team from UK Firewalk.

Maddy Boyle, community partnership fundraiser for the charity, said: “I was so nervous until I remembered why I was doing it.

“I walked over hot coals with my mum beside me pushing me to do it. It was an amazing thing to do in her memory.”

Special guests for the evening were Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Derek Butler and his wife, Mary, who each completed the fire walk.

In total, more than £5,000 was raised – enough to pay for a day’s care for 10 patients at the Preston Hall inpatient unit.