West Sussex Fire Officer Completes Charity 'Hunted' Challenge

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer has raised almost £1,000 for The Fire Fighters Charity after going on the run for a week.

Last week Peter Rickard set off on his journey from Marine Court in Littlehampton with just a tent, one rucksack and £50 cash in his pocket.

The aim was to remain undetected from colleagues while visiting each of our fire stations, in the style of the Channel 4 show, Hunted. However, whilst visiting his final fire station in Hurstpierpoint, Peter was caught by a member of the Technical Rescue Unit on Saturday afternoon.

Peter outside Hurstpierpoint Fire Station, moments before getting caught. 

Speaking of the challenge, Peter said:

“My daughter and I pre-planned a route that my colleagues wouldn’t suspect, and I tried to stick to it as best as possible. I thought people would assume I’d start my journey visiting fire stations along the east coast, so I headed straight to Chichester, East Wittering and Selsey!

“The kindness that I experienced during the week was overwhelming, strangers gave me lifts from one place to another and friends let me leave my belongings in their gardens while I was out walking. Carrying all my equipment for miles across the South Downs was no mean feat, so I was very grateful to do some walking without the tent and rucksack!  

“In total I covered 56 miles, and 16 of those I did in one day when travelling from Horsham across to Crawley and Horley.”

Setting off early on Friday. 

Peter faced several obstacles during his time outdoors; he misplaced a pair of eyeglasses and two spoons on the first day, and as the week progressed the cold autumn nights set in. Peter also continued his challenge despite the Met Office’s yellow weather warning for rain on Thursday.

Peter added:

“The hardest part was being without my family, I think I underestimated just how lonely I would find it. After my first night on the run it struck me just how much I missed my wife and two daughters; being reunited with them was the best feeling ever.”

Peter and his daughters reunited at the finishing line. 

The Fire Fighters Charity’s Community Fundraiser, Louise Furneaux, said:

“I've thoroughly enjoyed following Peter's progress throughout the week with this unique fundraising challenge. He gave it his all, with some amazing results, and on behalf of everyone at The Fire Fighters Charity, I send him my heartfelt thanks.

“Alongside support at our three centres - including Marine Court in West Sussex - we offer a wealth of health and wellbeing resources online and in communities. However, we couldn’t continue to do so without fundraising activities like this, which make such a vital difference to so many lives. Thank you once again to Peter for his dedication to this challenge.”

Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue added:

“A huge congratulations goes to Peter for completing this amazing challenge and doubling his initial fundraising target of £500. I can only imagine how physically and mentally exhausting the challenge was, but all for a great cause.”

There is still time to donate to support the Peter’s fundraising efforts. You can donate using the online JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/peter-rickard-1695724431377