Firefighters take on a 180 mile cycle challenge in memory of colleague Matthew John.
Local Firefighters are taking on a 180 mile cycle ride in memory of a colleague Matthew John who sadly passed away of cancer last year.
Watch Manager Mark Bean explains why they are taking on the challenge:
“We lost Matty to cancer 12 months ago, which as you can imagine hit us all pretty hard. We have all been wanting to do some kind of charity event in his memory, and it has only now been possible that restrictions have eased. Matty worked on Green Watch at Whitchurch. Everyone involved in this event has worked with Matty in some shape or form over the years, several of us are friends outside the job too.
Matty was a big Man Utd and Cardiff City fan and whilst we trying to think of a challenge one of the boys came up with the bright idea of cycling between the two clubs, and it just snowballed from there. The journey is 180 miles’ish providing we don’t get lost!! The plan is to cycle 100 miles the first day, staying over night at Ludlow fire station and 80 miles the second day, arriving at Cardiff City on the Wednesday afternoon.
The two charities we are supporting are The Fire Fighters charity (for obvious reasons) and City Hospice who were there looking after Matty making him comfortable in his final days.
The boys taking part are Tony Grimley, Matt Edwards, Mark Potter, Neil Jones, Christian Aldridge, Ben Croxall and myself. We will also have 2 support drivers
Personally, the thing I’m looking forward to the least is getting on the bike the second day, creams may need to be applied. Cycling it with this group of boys will get me through it though”.
Neil Davies, Community Fundraiser at City Hospice added:
It was great to visit the Fire Station a couple of weeks ago and meet some of the Firefighters taking part in this incredible challenge in memory of Matthew. It’s quite a challenge and we all wish you the very best of luck”
