Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service staff are taking on a mammoth running challenge to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity.
A team of 20 staff will be running the 66-mile Bob Graham Round, traversing 42 peaks and ascending 26,900ft in total around the Lake District over a 24-hour period on 7-8 August.
They are aiming to raise as much money as possible for the Fire Fighters Charity, which provides specialist mental and physical health and social wellbeing support to fire service staff and their families nationwide.
The charity, which has a residential centre at Jubilee House, near Penrith, has launched an urgent summer appeal. The cancellation of fundraising events due to the Coronavirus pandemic means the Fire Fighters Charity is facing a shortfall in income of £200,000 a month.
John Beard, Cumbria’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, came up with the idea of a team from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service taking part in the Bob Graham Round to raise much-needed funds for the charity. He said: “The Fire Fighter Charity, like many other charities, has lost much of its income due to the pandemic. They play a vital role for firefighters and we wanted to show our support by organising a fund-raising event. Some of those who are running and many of our colleagues have received support from the charity when they have needed it most.”
Paul Millburn, Station Manager, said: “We’ll be running in relays over five legs and we’ve challenged ourselves to complete it within the official time of 24 hours. To make it just a little harder, we’ll all be wearing wildfire tunics and carrying the Fire Fighter Charity’s mascot Blaze Bear. It’s going to be tough but we’re all determined to raise as much money as possible for the charity. I’ve benefited from the charity’s support in the past and know from personal experience what a fantastic job they do, so this is a cause that’s very close to my heart.”
Anyone wishing to support the charity challenge and make a donation can visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=CFRSRelayTeam&pageUrl=1
For more information about the Fire Fighters Charity, go to https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/
