MOUNTAIN climbing fire fighters from Welshpool have raised a staggering £11,007 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Completing the Three Peaks Challenge on June 18 and 19, the team climbed to the peaks of the largest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland – Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis – in just 24 hours.
The 24-hour challenge raised a total of £2,926, but when combined with other fundraising projects that took place throughout the year the fire fighters from Welshpool raised more that £11,000 for the cancer charity.
The first big fundraiser of the year was the Midnight Walk on November 13, which raised a staggering £4,200.
A spokesperson from Welshpool Fire Station said: “We thought as a station we would try the Midnight Walk and it went very well with 460 people turning out to support us and raise money for the Macmillan fund.”
The crew’s next big fundraiser was the ‘Spinathon’ at the Flash Leisure Centre, organised by two fire fighters, Matty Pryce and Billy Barrett, with the support of the staff from the Flash Leisure Centre – this event helped to raise a further £2,200.
“All of the fire fighters would like to thank the people who came on the midnight walk, the Spinathon at the Flash and all the people who sponsored us for a good cause,” added the spokesman.
“The photo in the paper shows the cheque with £10,882 but we have since had a further donation of £155 given to us, taking our total to £11,007.47.”
The fire fighters are now starting to plan this year’s fundraiser, although they have not yet picked the charity.
“Once again we hope the people will come forward and support us this year in the same way they did last year.
“The Midnight Walk will again be the first fundraising event so we urge everyone who supported last year to come along this year so we can raise even money for a charity of our choice.
“This year bring your friends on the walk too as we want to see if we can make more money than last year!"