Monday 12 February 2007 - 09.00 hrs
Children at a primary school in North Somerset have been keeping
a keen eye on the progress of a local fire chief who has taken on a
gruelling fundraising trip through Africa.
The Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Avon Fire & Rescue Service
(AF&RS), Jerry O’Brien, who lives at Winscombe, has returned
home after successfully completing the ‘Ultimate Challenge’ during
which he ran, cycled and canoed the entire length of The
Gambia.
He was there in support of Gambia and Avon Fire Service in
Partnership (GAFSIP), which has forged close links with AF&RS’s
west African counterpart. Since GAFSIP was started 16 years ago, 30
vehicles, as well as equipment that had reached the end of its
service life in Avon has been donated to The Gambian Fire and
Ambulance Service. Thanks to the support of GAFSIP the organisation
now has 1,000 professional firefighters operating from 12 fire
stations.
In a bid to ensure that vital work can continue Jerry set out at
the end of January on a 500 mile journey across the country. During
his two weeks away he posted a diary and GPS coordinates on
AF&RS’s website so that people back home could keep up to date
with his progress.
Among those with a particular interest were children at Sandford
Primary School, which is twinned with the Albion Lower Basic School
in the Gambian capital, Banjul. The GAFSIP charity has provided
furniture for the school, which Jerry saw being put to use when he
paid a visit during his stay in the county.
Over the last few weeks Headteacher at Sandford Primary School,
Louisa Munton, has been keeping pupils informed of Jerry’s progress
through a series of assemblies. The youngsters have also compiled
an expedition book plotting Jerry’s route.
On Thursday, February 15, pupils at Sandford School will have
the opportunity to meet Jerry in person when he will visit the
school to give a special assembly during which he will talk about
his trip. He will also present children at Sandford School with
gifts he received from pupils at the Albion Lower Basic School in
The Gambia.