Firefighters join cycle challenge
THEY are no strangers to going the extra mile for charity, but four firefighters are now taking on a new two-wheel challenge to help save and transform lives in Gloucestershire.
Tomorrow (July 12), a team from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue will be taking part in the county’s first charity street velodrome challenge on Cheltenham’s Promenade.
Firefighters Steve Maginn, Michael Ellmore, Russ Parker and Matt Armstrong will battle it out in the pursuit racing event against other teams from companies including headline sponsor Brewin Dolphin, Barclays, Midwinters Solicitors, Kier Construction, Creed Foodservice, Abbey Business and Spirax Sarco.
The event, which starts at 10am, has been organised by Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity. The money from the challenge will go towards its scanner appeal to buy imaging technology equipment, such as mobile digital X-ray machines for Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal hospitals.
These machines provide immediate images in situations where every second counts, particularly helping
patients too unwell or medically unstable to be moved to the hospital X-ray department. Firefighter Russ said: “Last year, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service raised more than £22,000 to help local cancer patients through our bed push challenge.
“This year, we wanted to continue our support by taking on the street velodrome challenge to raise money for the scanner appeal.
“We hope to raise as much money as possible to make a difference for local patients with cancer and other conditions.
“The money raised will help to fund new imaging technology to help save lives in the county and we are grateful for every donation in support of the challenge.” The event is backed by Gloucestershire Paralympian wheelchair racer Mel Nicholls, who will be coming along on the day. Senior fundraiser for the charity, Karen Organ, said: “We are really looking forward to our exciting velodrome event, which is a real first for Gloucestershire. “The challenge is running throughout the day and it would be great to see people come down to cheer on their chosen team, and there will also be a chance to make a donation at the event.
“We wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the event to help make it happen, from our sponsors to all the cyclists taking part. Good luck to all our teams.”
To support the firefighters visit justgiving.com/campaign/gfrs. The scanner appeal can be helped by:
Donating online at www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/charity
Taking on a fundraising challenge, such as a sponsored run or walk
Organising fundraising events at your local school, work, gym, club or community group
Making the scanner appeal your business’s charity of the year
Backing hospital transformational projects with a gift in your will.