West Sussex Firefighters To Take On Three Peaks In 24 Hours

Friday, 4 September 2020 06:00

By Charlotte Baker @Ch4rtweets

Firefighers from Lancing Fire Station are due to take on a 24-hour trek, completing the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales on September 11.

The group are due to embark on their 3,500 metre climb next Friday (11).

The crew of five are busy preparing to take on the Three Peaks Challenge, aiming to be back down to sea level within 24 hours of setting off.

This will see them begin at Ben Nevis in Scotland, where they will have just five hours to trek the 1,345m to the summit of Ben Nevis, before a six hour drive to Scafell Pike in northern England.

Here they will have four hours to reach the top of the 978 peak, before driving five hours to Mount Snowdon in Wales for another four hour trek to the summit.

They're pushing their fitness levels to the max in an attempt to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity.

The retained firefighters, who all have full time jobs elsewhere, but live or work within a few minutes of the fire station and can be mobilised at a moment's notice, have been busy fitting training sessions into their already busy days.

Retained firefighter Phil Wattam said:

"Some would say that climbing all three peaks is a challenge in its own right, without having to race against the clock.

"But The Fire Fighters Charity is such an important cause, we really wanted to push ourselves in the hope that we are able to raise a decent amount of money for the charity.

"The work they carry out to support serving and former firefighters, as well as their families, up and down the country cannot be underestimated.

"Unfortunately due to COVID, the majority of fundraising events have had to be put on hold, which has meant the charity has seen a major drop in its income.

"With just over a week to go now, we have really ramped up our training to ensure we are ready to take on this gruelling challenge."

You can support their fundraising efforts here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Station54