Given the nature of our work, we have to stay fit. Even so, this will be a real challenge for all of us but we are looking forward to it.
Firefighter Sean Bostrom
Warwickshire firefighters based at Rugby Station are getting ready to hit the heights as they scale the three highest summits in the UK.
The seven firefighters will be tackling the annual Three Peaks Challenge in which walkers have to climb Scotland’s Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike in the Lake District and, finally, Snowdon within 24 hours.
Two charities are to benefit; the Firefighters’ Charity which helps 13,500 firefighters who are injured in their line of work each year and the Willow Foundation which was set up to provide fun days out for seriously ill young people.
For Sean Bostrom, one of the firefighters undertaking the marathon climb, the Willow Foundation has a special bond. His daughter Josie was diagnosed with osteo-sarcoma a few years ago and the foundation was a great source of support for the Bostrom family throughout her gruelling treatment.
The seven firefighters will carry out the walk over the course of 19 hours including driving to and from the destinations. The first climb – Ben Nevis – will be the most gruelling at a summit of 4,409 feet, followed by Scafell at 3,163ft finishing with Snowdon at 3,560ft.
Sean Bostrom said: “Given the nature of our work, we have to stay fit. Even so, this will be a real challenge for all of us but we are looking forward to it. We’re delighted to be supporting the firefighters’ charity and from a personal point of view, I can’t speak highly enough of the work of the Willow Foundation. I’m really grateful to the rest of the team for agreeing to donate half of what we raise to the foundation.”
Anyone wishing to support the firefighters can log onto www.justgiving.com/greenwatch3peakes