Cheshire Firefighter Challenge hits new heights

This year’s Cheshire Firefighter Challenge was ‘the most successful yet’.

A hundred firefighters took part from all over the world and more than £1,200 has been raised for The Fire Fighters Charity.

Due to restrictions caused by Covid-19 pandemic, the fundraising event had to be held virtually for the second year running.

Publicity generated for the event via Facebook led to firefighters entering from all over England and five other countries – Germany, Austria, Belgium and, for the first time, New Zealand and America.

They all filmed themselves completing two timed runs, and for the third year running Simon Calvert, an on-call firefighter at Middlewich Fire Station, recorded Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s fastest time.

The service’s fastest woman was Warrington Fire Station firefighter Abi Van-Loon.

The overall winner was Aaron Childs, a firefighter at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Station Manager Mark Pollard, who organised the event alongside fellow on-call Birchwood Fire Station firefighters James McCall and Crew Manager Ryan Cook, said: “We are delighted that so many people took part and we raised over £1,200 for The Fire Fighters Charity.

“The Cheshire Firefighter Challenge has grown in popularity and momentum since the inaugural event was held in 2019.

“This year’s event was undoubtedly the most successful yet.”

The fundraiser was held between Sunday 1 August and Saturday 14 August.

The challenge consisted of:

• A 200-metre shuttle run (four 50m runs)
• A 20m hose reel drag
• A 20m hose reel pull
• A foam drum carry (carrying four 25 kilograms foam drums for 10m)
• Rolling out a full length of 25m 70 millimetre Duraline hose
• Making up the same length 25m 70mm Duraline hose
• A 50m Duraline 70mm hose run
• A 50m 70kg casualty drag.

The firefighters had to complete the course in full firefighting kit whilst wearing breathing apparatus.

The competing Cheshire firefighters undertook the challenge at Birchwood Fire Station or at the service’s new training centre on Sadler Road in Winsford.

Over the course of the event, competitors moved the equivalent of 10,000 litres of foam for more than two kilometres, dragged the equivalent of seven tonnes of casualties for 5km, ran out and made up over 12km of delivery hose and racked up more than 25 hours of activity and footage.

Mark added: “Well done to all those who took part. It certainly isn’t an easy challenge.

“A particular well done must go to Northamptonshire firefighter Aaron Childs for winning the challenge, as well as now three-time Cheshire champion Simon and Abi for their fastest time feats.

“Thank you to all those who took part and helped to make the event a great success.

“I would also like to thank the event sponsors De-Wipe and Oaks Fitness Club for helping us to raise so much money for The Fire Fighters Charity.

“I’m already looking forward to next year’s challenge!”

The Fire Fighters Charity is the UK’s leading provider of services that enhance the quality of life for serving and retired fire service personnel and their families.

In existence for more than 75 years, the charity provides essential respite, recuperation and rehabilitation for sick and injured firefighters and their families.

For more information about the charity visit

http://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk