It’s that time of year again when runners are dusting off their trainers and putting in the miles in preparation for the London Marathon.
And this year we have more incredible supporters taking on the challenge in aid of us.
Here we hear from all of those running in aid of us this year…
Grace Angove
“I am married to Watch Manager James Angove (who works for Hampshire and Isle of Wight FRS), which is how I initially heard about The Fire Fighters Charity.
“During James’ career he as an individual and us as a family have benefitted from the support of the Charity. One the best things we were lucky enough to take part in was the Child & Family Week at Harcombe House.
“For this (and many other reasons) I wanted to give something back.”
Matt Gilbert
“My motivation for running the marathon is to challenge myself as I approach 40 this year, advocating fitness and leading from the front.
“The reason for me choosing The Fire Fighters Charity is that unfortunately I lost two friends last year. One lost his personal struggles with mental health and the other lost his life attempting to swim the channel on behalf of The Fire Fighters Charity.
“If I can in anyway help this fantastic charity continue with its work then I will.”
Lucy Klobski
“I am running the London Marathon in memory for my lovely friend Kenny Wong who was a firefighter for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“Kenny sadly passed away in April 23 after a brave and courageous fight with cancer.
“Whilst Kenny was unwell, he and his family were able to to spend the week in one of The Fire Fighters Charity’s facilities in the Lake District, this allowed them to spend precious time with one another which I know memories of which they will treasure forever.”
Callum Hardy
“Currently, I am employed full-time at Manchester Airport while also serving as a retained firefighter at North Wales Fire and Rescue.
“I’m running and raising money for this cause as it holds a special place in my heart, they have provided invaluable support to me, my family, and my colleagues in the past.
“As a third-generation firefighter, with my grandfather serving 28 years at Abergele and my two uncles each serving 36 and 37 years at the same station, this opportunity to undertake a significant challenge allows me to give back to this remarkable charity.”
Russell Hughes
“I am a crew commander with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“I am running in the marathon for the charity due to all the help they gave me at Penrith when I ruptured my ACL and tore my meniscus cartilage in 2021. I have always wanted to give something back.”
Julie Lashmar
“I work for London Fire Brigade at Park Royal Red Watch. I’m running for The Fire Fighters Charity as I used their rehab service (Littlehampton) after I got injured playing netball.
“It was such a great week that I wanted to pay it back.”
Peter Finazzi
“I’m currently serving within WMFS as a station manager. I’m running to show my support, appreciation, and gratitude for what The Fire Fighters Charity not only do for us as serving personnel, but also what they do for the families and retired personnel.
“Over the past year WMFS have lost dear colleagues through suicide, and unfortunate circumstances whilst pushing the limits for charity, and I feel the need to offer support in the best way I know how.”
Jason Gibbons
“I’m an on-call firefighter with Norfolk Fire & Rescue service, based at Aylsham Station.
“I’m running the London Marathon for the Charity because as a firefighter myself, I see first-hand the amazing work this charity does, not just for serving personnel but retired firefighters and also their families.”
Emma Sedgwick
“My husband Neal is a wholetime firefighter at Royal Berkshire FRS. He joined the Fire Service fairly recently so I’ve got much more visibility of the requirements placed on firefighters, both physical and mental, and the dangerous situations they can find themselves in.
“I’m proud to say I’m running for the Charity which supports firefighters and their families in a number of different ways when they need it most.”
Stewart Murdoch
“I’m a firefighter with Scottish FRS and took up running properly in 2020 to keep fit during the pandemic.
“I always had the London Marathon on the radar but never thought I’d actually get there! I’m delighted to do it to raise money for The Fire Fighters charity, who I’ve had friends and colleagues use and get the benefits from.”
Matthew Merrison
“I’m a firefighter with Humberside Fire & Rescue Service and I’m running the marathon to mainly try and raise as much money for The Fire Fighters Charity as possible. They do such great work for all past and present firefighters across the country, and I wanted to try to give something back.
“The second reason is that it is something I have always wanted to do. I am always looking for challenges to set myself, and the London Marathon has been a goal of mine for a while.”
Simon Rushton
“I’m currently a Crew Manager with Kent FRS. I’m running in support of The Fire Fighters Charity and in the memory of my uncle who was a London firefighter for 30 years.
“He lost his fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia in 2021. I have been a firefighter for 20 years serving in both Hertfordshire and now Kent. It was my dream from the age of 5 after I visited my uncle’s fire station and had a ride in the turn table ladder to join.”
Stuart Tomlin
“I’m a Firefighter for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. In my short career I have seen friends and colleagues suffer from injuries, illness and mental health some of which are the effects from what they have exposed themselves to just to help someone in their greatest hour of need.
“The Fire Fighters Charity is a fantastic organisation that is there to help us in our hour of need so I would like to show some support and help raise awareness by running this year’s London Marathon in fire kit!”
Miles Drobny
“I’m an on-call firefighter in Lancashire. I’ve chosen to participate in full fire kit and a BA set for The Fire Fighter’s Charity as I’ve had close friends affected by traumatic incidents and understand the importance of the support they provide within the service should it need to be accessed
“I’ve previously been knocked mentally after previously attending traumatic incidents and knowing there is support from the Charity should we need it, puts my mind at ease.”
Sarah Brown
“I work for the National Fire Chiefs Council as the Head of Prevention and I’m running the London Marathon as I want to raise money, awareness and support for The Fire Fighters Charity. I started running about three years ago and can’t wait to take on the famous London Marathon! I’ve had so much support from my family, friends and work colleagues so far!”
Neil Granger
“This is an absolute dream come true! Ever since I was a little boy seeing my dad run this race it has always been a dream of mine to complete it too.
“The Fire Fighters Charity have given me a place in the London Marathon and I am really keen to raise lots of money for them to support all the awesome work they do for firefighters and their families. Ever since I started my firefighting career, four years ago, I have supported the Charity.
“From speaking to a number of colleagues who have used their services as well as staff from the Charity, it is clear to me that the work they do is invaluable in supporting firefighters and their families through difficulty and uncertain times.”
Neil Hargreaves
“I received treatment at Harcombe House and would like to do more to fundraise for the Charity.”
Kris Darnley
“I have been aware of the great work the Charity does since I joined in 2005. It wasn’t until 2017 when I experienced the services the Charity had to offer.
“I have always played football and in 2017, whilst representing the Service in a match, I was unfortunate to sustain a significant injury which saw me snapping 2 ligaments on the outside and 1 ligament on the inside of my right ankle, which resulted in me having surgery to repair the damage.
“I had the surgery, and it was then recommended by our OH department to contact the Charity for rehab. It was so easy to set up an initial call, and from this call, you recommended a week rehab, this was available very quickly. I attended your Penrith site where I saw and experienced first-hand what the Charity provides.”
Ryan Frost
“I’m firefighter for Essex County Fire and Rescue. I’m running for the Charity to raise awareness to others – to spread the good work that’s carried out by the Charity. Although I hope to have a long trouble free career, it’s lovely knowing the support that’s on offer should I ever need it in the future.”
Josh Martin
“I’m a Firefighter with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Im running in aid of the Charity after recently becoming a firefighter and realising the important work the charity do.
“I have also recently stayed in the Penrith centre for a week getting rehab on a knee injury and got to see the amazing support provided first hand! Through my fundraising I’d like to help the charity continue to support the fire service community and all it does!”
Meanwhile, we have some amazing runners who have chosen to support us with their own place in the marathon this year. They include:
- Arron Saunders
- Paul Richards
- Callum Rockall
- Noah West
- Adam Pateman
- Ricky Lambert
- Christopher Dale
- Sam Morris
- Michael O’Connell
- Mark Dahr
- Emma Whatley
- Paul Wickings
- And Zoe Phillips will be taking part virtually.