Unique cycling kit designed for Oxfordshire firefighters 1,000 mile fundraiser
The lycra cycling outfits have been designed by team member Clive Durbin, a former graphic designer, with input from other team members and made by a company specialising in cycling wear.
Clive, the training resources officer said: “The new kit mirrors the protective clothing the fire service now uses. We wanted the outfits to represent us as firefighters rather than us do the trip in ordinary cycling clothing. The kit also includes the reflective bands we have on firefighting clothing worn at incidents, so will be a good safety measure and make us more visible when we are riding.”
On 13 May 2016 a team of 18 cyclists from Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, along with a support team of four, will set off south on the 1,006 mile journey. Oxfordshire covers 1,006 square miles hence the distance they aim to cover.
Leading the pack will be Chief Fire Officer Dave Etheridge who is personally undertaking the “top to bottom” tour as a ‘Chief’s challenge.’
He said: “We have three aims which are to promote health and wellbeing, to raise a fantastic £100,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity and, obviously to make it to Land's End safe and sound!
“The target of £100,000 is the largest sum we have ever tried to raise in a single event and we are hoping everyone will get behind us by sponsoring team members, making donations, pledges and buying raffle tickets.
“Our journey will take us 14 days (we will be having a rest day!) riding approximately 80 miles a day and stopping at eight different Fire and Rescue Services - Scottish, Cumbria, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Devon & Somerset and finally Cornwall. On the Oxfordshire leg we will involve Royal Berkshire and Buckingham & Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Services, inviting them to be part of the ride as we travel through their counties.”
The ages of the fundraising firefighters range from early 20s to 63 and are all enthusiastic cyclists. Some are veterans of an Oxford to Bonn ride whilst others are new to long distance riding. To find out more about each member of the team - click here.
Each team member is giving up their own time to undertake the ride and train, fundraise and promote health and wellbeing. People can sponsor the team through Virgin Money Giving (virginmoneygiving.com/team/jogle2016) and all proceeds will go to The Fire Fighters Charity, a national charity that supports firefighters.
The team are partnered with Oxford Brookes University and Oxfordshire County Council Public Health who are both assisting with promoting the health and wellbeing message.
For more information including profiles of each team member, visit www.JOGLE2016.co.uk