Thursday
6 December
11.30
hrs
Two firefighters
from Avon Fire & Rescue Service are set to embark on a massive
challenge over the festive period.
Adrian Mantle, who
is based at Bedminster Fire Station and Pete Marsh, who works at
Bath Fire Station will be driving 3,700 miles from Bristol to The
Gambia, in an ambulance.
Their long journey
will begin on Friday 28 December and is expected to take around
three weeks to complete.
On Thursday 6
December The Chief Fire Officer for the Gambia Fire and Ambulance
Service, Roger Bakurin, will be attending the launch, along with
Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer / Chief
Executive, Kevin Pearson.
Adrian said: “We
are really looking forward to the trip, which will involve driving
across Europe, through Morocco and into the Sahara Desert, then
onto Senegal and in to The Gambia.”
The vehicle, which
Adrian and Pete will be driving, has been donated to the Gambia and
Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP) charity by Wessex
Ambulance Service.
As well as doing
all the driving, the duo will also be raising much-needed funds for
GAFSIP. The charity was set up 16 years ago to provide fire cover
for people living in The Gambia. All Avon Fire & Rescue
Service’s equipment, which is no longer needed is given to the
charity, along with numerous donations from members of the public,
including sewing machines, books, stationery and medical
equipment.
Speaking ahead of
the trip, Pete said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us.
Having both flown to the Gambia, we thought it would be great to do
the trip by road. I am sure it is going to be very difficult at
times, especially when the tiredness sets in, but we will be seeing
some beautiful sites along the way, so it will be worth it.”
To sponsor Adrian
and Pete log on to www.justgiving.com/dontpanic.
Note to editors
If you would like
to interview Adrian Mantle or Pete Marsh or attend the photocall
please contact the Media and Communication Team on 0117 9262061
extension 216.