On Saturday 25 July, two crews from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will walk 19 miles, wearing personal protective fire kit, to raise money for two charities – The Firefighters Charity and Mind.
The two crews will walk from the most easterly station (Oakham) and the most westerly station (Ashby) into Leicester, meeting in the middle at Central Fire and Rescue Station.
The event was created when Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Rick Taylor, set a challenge for the newly recruited firefighters to hold an event to raise money for charity, at the beginning of their firefighter training.
Rick Taylor said: “I wanted to challenge our recruits in a way which would allow them to bond as a team – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where things are very different.
“The challenge will be demanding, both physically and mentally. I, along with the rest of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, wish them the best of luck in their challenge, and would like to thank everyone who has donated or supported the challenge in any way so far.”
The crews will depart from Oakham/Ashby Fire and Rescue Stations at 9am, aiming to arrive at their end point, Central Fire and Rescue Station, between 4pm and 5pm. Depending on availability, the crews will be escorted the final mile by fire engines under blue lights.
Visit their JustGiving page to read more about their fundraiser, by clicking here.
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.
During 2018/19, the Service attended 762 road traffic collisions, of which 125 were extrications from vehicles, in addition to 2,569 fires. We carried out 6,746 home safety checks and fitted 4,790 smoke alarms. 279 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 1,068 community safety events, promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, and 134 Virtual Fatal Four (VF4) events as part of the Service’s young drivers’ road safety project.
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 over 30 percent.
Contact:
Corporate Communications
Direct: 0116 210 5591
Corporate.communications@leics-fire.gov.uk
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