Six Cornish Fire Fighters Prepare for Peak Endurance

May 15, 2011 - PRLog -- A group of fearless fire fighters from Cornwall are training to conquer ‘Island Peak’ (Imja Tse) in Tibet’s Himalayas and raise thousands of pounds for three worthy charities.

James Marks (37), Tim Edwards (53), Phil Hoare (34) and Mark Smith (42), all from Bodmin, are being joined by Falmouth’s Justin Smith (32) and Simon Martyn (45) for the challenge next March.

They have been telling a podcast (available with this press release) about their plan to make the 19-day trip to raise funds for The Fire Fighters’ Charity, Children With Leukaemia, and Help For Heroes.

They will fly into the world’s most dangerous airport at Lukla, before setting off with sherpas to climb the 6200 metre high mountain. Once they reach the summit, they will have an amazing view of Everest, just 6 miles away. Some of the fire fighters are treating this adventure as a practice for the world’s highest peak – which they hope to attempt sometime in the near future.

The idea came about in June 2006 when some of them took part in another ambitious adventure. Tim Edwards took a group on a 6-day trek across Europe’s largest glacier in Iceland. He told the attached podcast how he set his sights on this ever since working in the country as a fish farmer:

“It was a 150 kilometre trip across the glacier towing all of are own stuff on sleds and sleeping out in tents. As we prepared for the challenge, we decided that we might as well raise some money for charity.”

The team also decided to raise money for Help for Heroes after team member Justin Smith recounted his experiences as a marine in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was blown up and injured by a bomb, but has fortunately made a full recovery. He tells the podcast why Help For Heroes is one of the charities they are backing:  

“Since leaving the Royal Marines, I’ve seen many friends injured – lost limbs, and I’ve also been to a few funerals over the years. So, Help For Heroes is a charity very close to my heart.”

The six are being sponsored by Richfords Fire and Flood. Business Development Director, Michael Cooper, says it is an honour to support this challenge:

“We work closely with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service all the time, so we are well aware of how dedicated these guys are to helping to save lives and property. It is right that we should now say thank you to them by helping them to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity, as well two other campaigns that they are passionate about.”

Richfords is encouraging everyone to help the team with their programme of events over the coming ten months. Among them is the Saints Way Challenge on 2nd July. This is a 28 or 14 mile walk from Fowey to Padstow.

ENDS.

Notes for editors:

·   Podcasts and images are available for download at: http://www.richfords.com/news/PressInformation.php

·   Richfords Fire and Flood are proud to be supporting the Fire and Ice team and over the next year will be working with them to raise as much as possible for the three chosen charities.

·   To make a donation to the teams chosen charities please visit: www.justgiving.com/fireandicechallenge to donate to Help for Heroes, www.justgiving.com/fireandicechallenge1 for Children with Leukaemia and www.justgiving.com/fireandicechallenge2 for The Fire Fighters Charity.

·   The original trip that inspired this adventure was in 2006. A team of seven fire fighters from Cornwall crossed the third largest glacier in the world (Vatnajokull in Iceland). The team consisting of Ray Filbey (Truro), Dave Diment (Camborne), Mark Kass and Simon Martyn (Falmouth), Tim Edwards, James Marks and Phil Hoare (Bodmin) competed this tremendous challenge and raised over £20,000 for charity.

·   Richfords Fire and Flood is one of the UK's premier damage restoration firms, dealing with fire damage and flood damage restoration to toxic mould (mold) remediation and oil spill bio-remediation.

·   The Fire Fighters’ Charity (www.firefighterscharity.org.uk). The Fire Fighters Charity is there for all fire service personnel during their times of need, and assists thousands of individuals every year, by providing treatment and support services.

·   Children with Leukaemia (www.leukaemia.org). This charity has been helping children affected by leukaemia for the last 22 years. It also works to provide support for their families.

·   Help for Heroes (www.helpforheroes.org.uk). This charity was set up to provide support for injured servicemen and women from all of the UK’s armed forces.  It was established in the wake of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan when attention was focussed on the difficulties facing military personnel on returning home.

# # #

This press release is sent out on behalf of Richfords Fire & Flood. The company is a specialist in damage restoration and is committed to the practical recovery of business and home life following damage causing incidents. Richfords is one of the leading restoration specialists in the UK. It has worked on thousands of incidents all over the country.

The press release was distributed by KernowPods.com acting on behalf of Richfords.com.