Issued on: Thursday 13 June 2019

Chief’s Challenge Raises Over £1,000 for Charity 

New wholetime firefighters raised a total of £1,041.67 for charity following their ‘Chief’s Challenge’ last weekend.

On Saturday 8 June, the team of newly appointed firefighters pulled an 18-tonne fire engine through Leicester City Centre a total of three times, after being set a challenge by their Chief. 

The trainees were set a challenge by Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Rick Taylor at the beginning of their firefighter training, to come up with a charity event raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity, who provide care, support and relief for current, retired and past firefighters.

The challenge which took place in Humberstone Gate, Leicester, saw crowds of people turn-up in the rain to show their support.

Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Rick Taylor said: “I set the challenge for our newest recruits to raise money for ‘our’ charity; The Fire Fighters Charity. I wanted them to do a challenge that would allow them to grow together, not just as a group but as a team.

“I am really pleased they came up with the idea of the fire engine pull and have also decided to raise money for another fantastic cause.”

The team also raised money for the Bodie Hodges Foundation, who support families who have been bereaved of a child of any age and promotes organ donation.

Rick Taylor added: “Not only were they tested physically and mentally in doing this challenge, they showed great team work and commitment despite the weather being against them. I, along with the rest of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service would like to congratulate them all and thank the community for their support and donations.”

To find out more about the Chief’s Challenge, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FirefightersEnginePull

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
Interviews can be arranged through prior arrangement with Corporate Communications on the details below.

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 43 percent. 

During 2016/17, the Service attended 694 road traffic collisions, of which 148 were extrications from vehicles, in addition to ­2,259 fires. 272 schools were visited as part of the Service’s schools programme, delivering fire and road safety education to pupils. Staff organised or took part in 1,613 community safety events, promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, and 145 Virtual Fatal Four (VF4) events as part of the Service’s young drivers’ road safety project. 

Contact:
Corporate Communications
Direct: 0116 229 2195
corporate.communications@lfrs.org

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