Flames lit up the night sky on Clapham Common on Saturday as 33 volunteers prepared to cross a bed of burning embers for charity.

They were taking part in a sponsored firewalk at Holy Trinity church organised by Calcutta Rescue Fund (CRF), which provides healthcare, education and employment training for thousands of people living in the slums of Kolkata, India.

The volunteers ranged in age from 14 to their 70s, all of whom crossed successfully following a two hour training session.

"An amazing experience" said Julia James, who did the walk along with her daughter Andrea.

Sean Duggan of CRF helped organise the event and said the amount raised so far is approaching £10,000.

He said: "Thank you so much to all the courageous souls who took up this challenge, to the team at Holy Trinity, and to everyone who has supported the firewalk in any way. The money they have raised will make a real difference to some of the most disadvantaged people on the planet.

"It will be spent on drugs for people with multi-drug resistant TB, schooling for children who would otherwise never learn to read or write, on health education for expectant mothers and a multitude of other effective projects.

"With no offices and no paid staff outside India, donors can be sure that the money they give really will get to where it is needed."

Find out more about the work of Calcutta Rescue and make a donation to the firewalk on the charity's Just Giving page.