FIREFIGHTERS from Penketh Fire Station are set to embark on a gruelling challenge to raise money to support people in Ukraine with a non-stop nine-day virtual duathlon.
The crews start the challenge on May 9 and will walk and cycle a combined distance of 1,580 miles, which is the distance between Penketh Fire Station and Kyiv in the Ukraine.
Any money raised will be split equally between The Fire Fighters Charity which supports firefighters and their families in the UK and FireAid and International Development, the charity working alongside Ukrainian Emergency Services.
Co-ordinator for the event is Penketh firefighter Stephen Grounds. He said: “Like many, we have been moved by the invasion of Ukraine so wanted to do something to help. We chose two charities, one that supports our UK colleagues and the other that is currently helping our colleagues in Ukraine.
“FireAid has so far delivered a convoy of modern fire appliances, over 4,000 sets of firefighting PPE and other essential firefighting equipment. Any money we raise through this challenge will help the charity to continue its work, supporting the Ukrainian Fire Service through the conflict.”
During the chaos of conflict, firefighters stay within the war zone, not to engage in battle, but to protect lives and property.
Firefighters in Ukraine are currently on the front line of this crisis, trying to protect their communities in the most difficult of situations. However, they are in desperate need of equipment to better protect themselves and their communities.
As well raising money for the firefighters of Ukraine, the crews are also fundraising to support firefighters of the UK. The Firefighters Charity provides vital health and wellbeing support for our frontline firefighters, support and control staff. The Charity relies on individual donors to meet the £10m cost of operating it’s services, in support of over 55,000 members of the UK’s fire services community.
To donate please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/KyivDuathlon
You can follow the progress by following the station twitter page @PenkethFS
On the 9th May we’ll start our 1,580 mile duathlon to Ukraine for @FIRE_AID_UK & @firefighters999. Donations can be made at station or using the link below. A massive thank you to Impact Graphix & Signs Ltd for again providing us with a free banner 🙌🏻 https://t.co/NXLaVb0OXh pic.twitter.com/fSKaMZgkwb
— Penketh Fire Station (@PenkethFS) April 20, 2022
