A Swindon firefighter will be taking on a marathon challenge while running in 20kg worth of fire kit, over at the Orbital shopping park.
Dan Fry in his kit, running Bristol's Half Marathon
A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighter based in Swindon, will be taking on a half marathon this month – running in 20kg of fire kit.
The Richmond Half Marathon, within Kew Gardens on 10 April, is just the first of a series of challenges being undertaken by Crew Manager Dan Fry in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity.
Dan is based with Red Watch at Swindon fire station and, on Saturday, 23 April, he will be doing a treadmill half marathon at the Asda store within the Orbital Shopping Park, starting at 11am.
There will also be a fire crew and appliance on site to support him.
The firefighter says there may be other races through the summer, before he takes on his first ever marathon at London in October – again wearing fire kit and a breathing apparatus set.
Before last year, Dan had never run a half marathon – and he has still not run a full marathon distance.
He said: “I took part in last year’s Bristol Half Marathon with a group of other firefighters in fire kit to raise money for the blood cancer charity DKMS, and then did the Bournemouth Half a week later. It was an incredible experience, and gave me the bug to do more.”
Having secured his London Marathon place through the Fire Fighters Charity, Dan decided to do as many challenges as possible to raise as much money as possible.
He said: “I’d read about how the Charity’s income had plummeted during the pandemic, as so many fundraising events had to be cancelled. I know so many people who have benefited from the Charity’s support, it just made sense to try and help them in return.”
Locals in Dan’s home town of Warminster are getting used to seeing him pounding the streets in fire kit and he said he has even been offered a few lifts by drivers concerned that he is on duty.
His aim is to better his current half marathon personal best of 2 hours 28 minutes, and to raise at least £2,000.
Those wishing to make a donation can visit www.justgiving.com/FirefighterFry
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