Firefighters from across the Avon Fire & Rescue Service will be taking part in a mammoth 150-mile walk next month, visiting every fire station in just 60 hours, all in aid of charity.
The journey, which also includes visiting Avon Fire & Rescue’s Headquarters in Portishead and Control Centre in Lansdown, Bath, will see the eight firefighters walk continuously with no sleep from the 14th – 16th November.
The aim is to visit as many communities as possible while also aiming to raise £7,000 for Children in Need.
To make the task even harder, firefighters will be making the journey in full kit – tunics, leggings, and helmets, with a breathing apparatus set on their backs.
Mark Watson, a member of the charity team at AF&RS, said: “This challenge is going to push us to our mental and physical limit. We wanted to take it as far as possible and really see what we are capable of for charity.
“We’re doing this to raise money for BBC Children in Need, so please if you are inspired by what we are doing donate to us directly or get fundraising yourself!
“It would also be great to see as many people as possible along the way. We are going to need all the help we can get so please come out and cheer us on.”
This year’s walk follows a successful 103-mile Cotswold Way Challenge in 2017, where eight operational firefighters from AF&RS walked continuously for 56 hours, raising £5,500 for charity.
Simon Shilton, Assistant Chief Fire Officer for AF&RS, added: “We are extremely proud of our firefighters who go above and beyond in the name of charity.
“This will be an extremely tough task but I know they will get support from every station and community across the Service area.
“We wish them the best of luck on this task and know the money will all go to a worthwhile cause. Please donate or support them however you can. Good luck!”
To donate to the firefighters taking part, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/afrs150 or help by showing support along the way.
You can also follow the team’s progress on Facebook at facebook.com/afrscharityteam or on Twitter using #Avon150.
