Pewsey firefighters walk for 28 hours to raise funds for village carnival

A team of five wanted to do their bit after the event was pulled due to Covid-19.

Author: Henrietta CreaseyPublished 21st Sep 2020

Mark Hillier, Stuart Hillier, Mark Lewis, Liam Smart and Tom Richie set themselves an unusual challenge of walking 70 miles from Pewsey to Christchurch..

The group set off at 5pm on Friday (18th September) with the aim to arrive in the Dorset town on Saturday, the day Pewsey Carnival would have taken place.

Walking through the night they followed the River Avon with the aim to emulate an epic journey by a group of rowers 100 years ago albeit this time on foot!

The team at Salisbury Cathedral

It was a tough challenge and sadly after 28 hrs of walking and with just three miles to go a decision was made to stop on the "grounds of the welfare" of those taking part.

The team say it was an "amazing" experience and their proud of their efforts which has seen them raise £860 so far.

Writing on the Pewsey Fire Station Facebook page Carol Parsons, chair of the carnival committee, said:

"I thank you all for a tremendous effort. You should be extremely proud of yourselves. You have also made an amazing amount of money for Carnival."

You can show your support here www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tothesea2020

The team are already plannng another go at the challenge next year!

Pewsey Carnival is Wiltshire's oldest carnival and was first established in 1868.