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Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service staff are taking on a mammoth running challenge to raise much-needed funds for The Fire Fighters Charity.
A team of 15 staff members will be running the 66-mile Bob Graham Round, not once but twice.
Voted as one of the most demanding foot-based challenges in the country, the relay run will see them cross 84 peaks, run 132 miles, and ascend 54,000ft in total around the Lake District over a 48-hour period on July 16-18.
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.
Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer, John Beard, who is taking part in the event, said:
"The Fire Fighters Charity, like many other charities, has lost much of its income over the past year due to the pandemic.
"They play a vital role for firefighters and their families and we wanted to show our support by organising a fundraising event.
"The charity is very close to many of our colleague’s hearts and we know what a fantastic job they do. So, this challenge is a demonstration of our gratitude."
Simon Rodger, who is stationed as Ulverston’s Watch Manager, said:
"We’ll be running in teams in relays over ten legs and we’ve challenged ourselves to complete it within 48 hours.
"It’s going to be tough, but we’re all determined to raise as much money as possible for the charity."
Last year 20 members of the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service took on the challenge in August to raise funds for The Firefighters Charity.
The team was fronted by Salomon athlete Ricky Lightfoot, himself a firefighter at the Workington Community Fire Station in Cumbria.
As well as being one of Britain’s top trail and fell-running athletes, he has competed internationally and holds course records for several iconic races at home and around the world, including events on Scafell Pike, in Mauritius and in South Africa.
This year will see Nathaniel Hooton, Paul Milburn, Ian Seel, and John Beard and many others take on the challenge.
Show your support for the cause and the team from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service here:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BobGrahamCFRS
You can find out more information about The Fire Fighters Charity:
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