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