Monday 21 April
10.00 hrs
A group of 15 firefighters from Bristol and Bath are set
to embark on a gruelling challenge to raise money for charity.
The team will be testing their fitness and endurance levels to
the full as they get to grips with the Royal Marine’s Commando
Training Centre assault course in Lympstone, Exeter.
As well as testing their balance and agility skills on the
assault course the team will also have to face the endurance course
running more than two miles cross country and wading through
tunnels filled with water.
The group has taken on the challenge to help 22-month-old Grace
O’Gorman, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Stage
IV Neuroblastoma is very serious in young children with survival
rates in the UK between 20 and 25 percent.
Grace’s family have moved from their home in Bath to the USA, where
treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital (MSKCC) in New
York could offer Grace an 80 percent chance of survival.
But the procedures needed will cost $800,000, around £400,000,
and the Avon Fire & Rescue Service firefighters are hoping to
help, through sponsorship of their event.
Firefighter Matt Osborne, who is based at Bedminster Fire
Station, in Bristol, said: “This is the longest assault course in
the world, with walls to jump, bars to negotiate, ropes to climb
and cargo nets to face. It’s going to be really tough, but I am
sure we can help raise lots of money for this very worthwhile
cause.”
Firefighter Jim Grigg, who is based at Bedminster Fire Station,
but lives in Bath, said: “I read about Grace’s plight in the local
newspaper and instantly felt I needed to help the family. They are
facing a huge fundraising challenge and it would be great if we
could do something to help.”
The 15-strong group will be taking part in their challenge on
Saturday 31 May. Anyone wanting to sponsor the team or to find out
more about the Grace O’Gorman Appeal can log on to www.graceogorman.co.uk