Unique cycling kit unveiled for fundraising fire fighters

OXFORDSHIRE’S fundraising firefighters, including Andy Ford from Thame Fire Station, have revealed the special kit they have had made for their thousand mile sponsored cycle ride – just one month before they set off on their epic journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

On May 13, a group of 18 cyclists from Oxfordshire’s Fire and Rescue Service, along with a support team of four, including Andy Ford on a motorbike, will set off south on the 1,006 mile journey. Oxfordshire covers 1,006 square miles hence the distance they aim to cover.

Clive, the training resources officer, said: “The new kit mirrors the protective clothing the fire service now uses. We wanted the outfits to represent us as firefighters rather than us do the trip in ordinary cycling clothing. The kit also includes the reflective bands we have on the firefighting clothing we wear at incidents, which are a good safety measure making us more visible when we are riding.”

Leading the pack will be Chief Fire Officer Dave Etheridge who is personally undertaking the ‘top to bottom’ tour as a ‘Chief’s challenge.’ He said: “We have three aims which are to promote health and wellbeing, to raise a fantastic £100,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity and, obviously to make it to Land’s End safe and sound!

“The target of £100,000 is the largest sum we have ever tried to raise in a single event and we are hoping everyone will get behind us by sponsoring team members, making donations, pledges and buying raffle tickets.

“Our journey will take us 14 days (we will be having a rest day!) riding approximately 80 miles a day and stopping at eight different Fire and Rescue Services – Scottish, Cumbria, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Devon & Somerset and finally Cornwall. On the Oxfordshire leg we will involve Royal Berkshire and Buckingham & Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Services, inviting them to be part of the ride as we travel through their counties.”

The fundraising firefighters’ ages range from early 20’s to 63 and they are all enthusiastic cyclists. Some are veterans of an Oxford to Bonn ride whilst others are new to long distance riding – meet the team here http://www.jogle2016.co.uk/meet-the-team.html

Each team member is giving up their own time to undertake the ride and train, fundraise and promote health and wellbeing. People can sponsor the team through Virgin Money Giving (virginmoneygiving.com/team/jogle2016) and all proceeds will go to The Fire Fighters Charity, a national charity that supports firefighters.

The team are partnered with Oxford Brookes University and Oxfordshire County Council Public Health who are both assisting with promoting the health and wellbeing message.