Firefighters Take On Three Peaks Challenge For Charity

Thursday, 8 October 2020 10:48

A team of Sussex firefighters has conquered three of the most challenging peaks in The Lake District in order to raise money for charity.

The team from Haywards Heath have now raised more than £2,000 for The Fire Fighters Charity, in memory of their former Crew Commander Mark Butler, who served as a firefighter for 37 years before losing a battle with leukaemia in May 2019.

The team took on Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, followed by Skiddaw and Helvellyn - and did it all wearing firefighting kit and breathing apparatus.

The charity trek comes after the group recently completed the 100 mile South Downs Way by bike over the course of two days at the end of August.

Firefighter Gavin Twinn said:

"It was an incredibly intense 24 hours, no sooner had we celebrated scaling our first peak than we were making our way back down again ready to begin all over again. It didn't help that the heavens opened as we scaled Scafell Pike, and we were soaked through.

"Fortunately it brightened up for our second two ascents, which lifted our spirits! We were very touched by the kindness shown to us by others who were out scaling the peaks, who also donated to our fundraising - this really boosted our morale when the heat began to take its toll.

"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated to our fundraising for The Fire Fighters Charity in memory of Mark so far. The charity carry out such important work both with serving and former firefighters, that we felt we had to do something to support them in these difficult times."

Station Commander Phil Maynard is West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service's charity champion for The Fire Fighter's Charity.

He said:

"Earlier this year I set each of our station's the challenge of raising £1,000 for the charity, and the team at Haywards Heath have gone above and beyond to support the cause in Mark's memory. He would be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.

"I would like to congratulate them on behalf of the whole service for what they have achieved this summer over the course of their two fundraising ventures.

"With so many fundraising events cancelled due to COVID-19, the charity needs our support now more than ever."

There is still time to donate towards their fundraising efforts via JustGiving here.