A Bristol firefighter is preparing to embark upon a 2,500 mile
journey through Europe, driving a Land Rover powered by old cooking
oil.
In September Bradley Hardwidge, 38, will visit 10 countries in
seven days during a fundraising trip to raise money for The Gambia
and Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP). The charity was set
up 16 years ago to provide much needed help, equipment and support
to emergency service workers and their families in the West African
country.
Bradley, who works at Temple Fire Station in Bristol will be
joined by his wife Lisz when he enters the Landy Rally. The
couple’s 4x4 will be among 100 Land Rovers making the journey from
the UK through Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland,
Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, France and Spain.
However Bradley’s 1996 Land Rover Defender will be leaving a
smaller carbon footprint than most vehicles entering the event, as
it will run on homemade bio-diesel. In his spare time Bradley
processes used cooking oil to create the low emission bio-fuel.
Bradley said: “Usually old cooking oil from deep fat fryers is
just thrown away, so the process I use really does give it a second
lease of life. The fuel is really efficient and cleaner than normal
diesel, the only difference is to people walking by who say the
exhaust smells like a barbecue!”
As he prepares for his charity trip Bradley is hoping local
businesses will come forward to support his fundraising
efforts.
“I’m also hoping to raise as much money as possible for the
excellent work that GAFSIP does. At the moment the Land Rover is a
blank canvas with plenty of space for sponsor businesses to have
their logos displayed, so I’d be keen to hear from anyone who would
like to be involved.”
Anyone interested in supporting Bradley can make a donation on
the internet www.justgiving.com/bradhardwidge-gafsip).
Corporate sponsors can contact Rosa Clark on 0117 926
2061.