Malton firefighters hit the trail state-side (From Gazette & Herald)
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Malton firefighters set to take part in fire house run in United States
9:53am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News
North Yorkshire firefighters meet counterparts in the US during their groundwork trip
A GROUP of firefighters has begun the countdown to a world record endurance run with a trip to the US where the challenge will take place.
Station managers Andy Blades and Mark Naylor, along with firefighter Terence Gregg and watch manager Justin Rowe, are aiming to run to all fire houses in New York City covering 220 miles in seven days to honour colleagues who lost their lives during 9/11.
The team will be supporting the Stephen Siller Foundation USA, set up in memory of the Brooklyn firefighter who died during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre, and The Fire Fighters Charity.
Justin, who is based in Malton, came up with the idea after the four had completed a number of challenges including running from London to York in aid of Help for Heroes.
He said a fundraising drive had now been launched, to lead up to the run on September 21 next year, which started with two of the team visiting Washington DC last month.
“The trip went very well and it was an amazing experience meeting such friendly people supportive of our cause,” he said.
“The four days we were in Washington DC were full-on and hectic. Terence and myself attended various meeting with businesses and organisations promoting the run but also reaching out for a US sponsor as, at the moment, we are a self-funding team paying for our flights and accommodation.”
Justin said they also visited the White House, a 25,000-seater basketball stadium and ‘Cabin John Fire House’, Maryland.
He said: “Over the coming year, the team will be training and organising various fundraising activities leading up to the main event. Our aim is to raise as much money as possible.
“We need people to sponsor us to help us raise funds for these two charities who are always there when we need them most.”
For more information and to sponsor the team visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NYFireHouseRun
