Hertfordshire firefighters urge for caution on roads through successful fundraising challenge
The money raised will help support firefighters like one of their own who suffered life-changing injuries following a road traffic collision
A group of 22 firefighters succeeded in a 180-mile cycling challenge aimed at raising funds and awareness for The Fire Fighters Charity.
This event, initiated seven years ago, has grown significantly from its humble beginnings with just three participants.
The primary objective of this year's event is to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity, a national organisation dedicated to supporting firefighters and their families through a range of services including physical rehabilitation, mental health support, and general well-being assistance.
Dwight Williams, Watch Commander in St Albans, said: "Obviously doing the job that we do, we are exposed to some challenging incidents and it's important that we are mentally strong and we can use the charity. And it's not just about firefighters, they still look after our retired members and also their families."
The charity recently helped one of their own Liam Coffil, who sustained life-changing injuries after being knocked off his bike on the way to work at Garston Fire Station in August 2023.
The firefighters also aim to use this event to promote road safety, addressing the local community about the dangers of distractions like mobile phone use while driving.
Mr Williams said: "It's also a massive opportunity for us to target the the local community with regards to road safety and we are sharing the message trying to get people to to avoid using things like their phones and the distractions that you get most commonly when you're you're in your car and driving."
In addition to current firefighters, this year’s participants included first-timers, members of the senior leadership team, and the event’s first female firefighter.
The route covered 29 fire stations, with key rest stops including Hemel Hempstead, Garston, Watford, Borehamwood, Hertford, Bishop's Stortford, Hitchin, Stevenage, and Welwyn Garden City, with the final stop at St. Albans.
The group successfully reached its original target of £2,500, with a new target of £5,000 set and almost reached.
You can find the fundraiser on this link.