‘Putting others first is just my nature’ – Former funeral director to celebrate 60th with charity fire breathing feat

We Are Sheffield interview with fire eater Suzanne Moore. Picture Scott Merrylees

Former funeral director Suzanne Wood – under the stage name Zan Zhurong – is hoping to become a fire eater for two deserving city charities.

And she will perform her death defying feat next Sunday at the Dorothy Pax bar on Victoria Quays.

She will be raising funds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s cancer and leukaemia ward appeal and the Motor Neurone Disease Association, both causes very close to her heart.

Suzanne said: “My mum will tell you from the age of six I have always put others first. It is just my nature.

“Now I have just become a senior citizen, I realise it is time for me to get out there and do something worthwhile.

“When my niece Katie needed the oncology department the children’s hospital were there, working their magic, helping and supporting.

“Then a second niece lost her best friend to MND at the age of just 29, followed only 12 months later by our cousin David.”

Suzanne – who lives with her husband Paul in the canal master’s flat on Victoria Quays – currently works at children’s shoe designer Poco Nido, but for 30 years worked as a funeral director and bereavement worker at crematoriums in Sheffield.

In the early 2000s, she won Sheffield Star award for her service to the community, but had to give it up after she lost her father to cancer.

“When people were telling me their feelings mine would take over so I couldn’t do it anymore,” she said.

“You are like a sponge and you can only take so much emotion. And if you can’t give 100 per cent you can’t do it anymore.”

Despite leaving first calling behind, Suzanne is still keen to help people however she can and her big birthday gave her the perfect excuse.

She says her training has gone well, but admits her instructor is still struggling to persuade her to keep her eyes open as the flames get close.

“Being 60 doesn’t bother me in the slightest,” she said.

“I think it is quite funny to think I have a bus pass. If I don’t want to feel 60 I won’t, will I?”

Zan Zhurong’s performance will take place on Sunday, September 15 at the Dorothy Pax bar on Victoria Quays.

As well as the main event, there will be food, music and entertainment from 4pm.

To donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/suzannewood15.