THE BRITISH FIREFIGHTER CHALLENGE 2017
Time: Saturday 29 July at 12:00 hours
Location: Magazine Square, De Montfort University
This event is open to both local and national media, you are welcome to come for the whole day, however at 12:00 hours there will be the opportunity to interview the event organiser, John Gregory of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, and international competitors. If you are coming on the day, and need access to the provided media suite, please confirm your attendance, providing your name, company, contact number, and vehicle registration details, by no later than 16:00 hours on Friday 28 July to hello@britishfirefighterchallenge.co.uk.
The British Firefighter Challenge is an annual sporting competition which pushes firefighters to their limits, provides a day of entertainment for spectators, and raises vital funds for The Firefighters Charity. This year, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have been working in partnership with De Montfort University to host the best event yet. It will be taking place on Saturday 29 July at Magazine Square and Hawthorn Square, De Montfort University, Leicester.
Each year, firefighters from across the globe enter the competition and put themselves up against the very best firefighters, internationally. This year, we have challengers from Australia, Canada, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Gibraltar, and over 25 different fire and rescue services from around the UK – it’s one not to be missed. The event demonstrates a variety of operational duties, via its challenges, including stair running, hauling aloft, forcible entry, hose running, equipment carries and casualty rescues. All the challenges highlight the rigours firefighters cope with when dealing with incidents.
The British Firefighter Challenge will provide entertainment on the day for the whole family. Whilst the focus remains on the challenge itself, you will also have the opportunity to:
- engage with our Community Safety team who will be onsite offering vital fire, road and water safety advice
- check out our fire engines, old and new
- have a relaxing drink from the Everards Bar
- get involved in activities provided by our local sports clubs (Leicester City Football Club and Leicester Riders), and even the local mascot so make sure you look out for Filbert the Fox!
It’s FREE to attend The British Firefighter Challenge so we hope to see many spectators there, cheering on the firefighters taking part. However, we will be encouraging donations to The Firefighters Charity. We’ll have a number of collectors on the day so please feel free to drop any loose change in to one of the buckets. Alternatively, we also have a TextGiving service which can be used to donate to the charity by texting BFFC17 £5 to 70070. All money raised will go to The Firefighters Charity who provide support to current and retired firefighters and their families in times of need.
John Gregory, firefighter at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and event organiser, said: “Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are delighted to be able to host this year’s British Firefighter Challenge. This is only the second challenge to take place and the individual registration was full in ten weeks”
“We are hoping this will be the biggest and best British Firefighter Challenges to date so we hope to see you there on Saturday 29 July. On the day, there will be entertainment for the whole family so we hope everyone watching the challenge enjoys it as much as those taking part.”
“We are also hoping to help raise money on the day for The Firefighters Charity who physically and psychologically rehabilitate firefighters across the UK so, if you see our collectors going round, please give generously – every little helps!”
We are looking to both local and national media to help raise the profile of The British Firefighter Challenge and we would appreciate your attendance.
The media suite is located within the Hugh Aston building, access via the top of Richmond Street – there will be a media entrance to the rear of the building to avoid visitors and competitors coming in and out. The media suite is on the ground floor and has a view of Hawthorn Square and the course. The address is: The Newarke, Leicester, LE2 7BY
For more information about the British Firefighter Challenge 2017, visit www.britishfirefighterchallenge.co.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Interviews and photo opportunities will be available on the day and can be arranged via Corporate Communications prior to the event taking place. If any members of the media want to use the media suite onsite, please also provide us with your details as soon as possible – if you don’t provide us the details access will be denied.
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire related incidents have reduced by 46 percent.
During 2015/16, the Service attended 666 road traffic collisions, of which 174 were extrications freeing 208 people trapped inside their vehicles and completed 5086 home fire safety checks, fitting almost 4481 smoke alarms. Staff organised or supported almost 1431 events aimed at promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, whilst also visiting 332 schools to deliver fire and road safety education to pupils.
Contact:
Corporate Communications
0116 229 2195
corporate.communications@lfrs.org
