A group of London firefighters are set to pull a fire engine for almost seven miles across London in a bid to raise money for the charities that helped their injured colleagues.

Whilst attending a large fire in some flats in Wandsworth in January this year, four firefighters from Wandsworth Fire Station’s Green Watch received serious burns. Thankfully they are all now on the road to recovery but their rehabilitation has been greatly helped by the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and the Fire Fighters Charity.

Colleagues of the injured firefighters have organised the fire engine pull to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity and Children’s Burns Trust which is based at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. They will pull the fire engine on Saturday 17 September between the two hospitals that treated the firefighters – the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on Fulham Road and St George’s Hospital in Tooting. The event will start at 10am and is expected to take around six hours. Firefighters from Wandsworth Green Watch will be helped in their efforts by other firefighters from their own and surrounding fire stations.

Wandsworth Fire Station’s Green Watch Manager, Winston Douglas, who has organised the event, said:

“It’s going to be incredibly hard work but we’re determined to do it. This will be a fitting tribute to our colleagues who were injured. It will also be a way to say thank you to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and the Fire Fighters Charity, which have both amazing in supporting them during their recovery.”

Wandsworth Borough Commander, Nigel Miles, said: 

“It’s been a tough few months for Wandsworth Green Watch but I’m proud of how they’ve dealt with it all. They are a professional and dedicated crew and it’s testament to their strength and determination that they’re now on the road to recovery. Pulling a fire engine for this distance is no mean feat so I hope people are really generous and sponsor them!”

Just how heavy is a fire engine?

The fire engine the firefighters will pull weighs 13.5 tonnes which is roughly the same weight as:

 

• Three fully grown African elephants
• 17 x the weight of the England rugby pack
• 165 firefighters
• More than £1.3 million in pound coins

September 12, 2011