Langholm Fire Station team rowed the equivalent distance of the English Channel (twice) for the SFRS Family Support Trust.
Firefighters in Dumfries and Galloway powered over a distance of 68km (42 miles) on rowing machines to raise funds for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) own Family Support Trust.
It took just over three-and-a-half hours for the Langholm Fire Station team to complete the mammoth challenge, which is equivalent to rowing from England to France and back.
Their efforts generated a valuable £1,035 for the charity, which helps serving and former fire service personnel and their dependents facing hardship as a result of circumstances including bereavement, injury or ill-health.
Watch Manager Ali Bell said: “When we set this challenge we decided to hold the sponsored row in our local Co-op.
“The event proved a great success and attracted a lot of enthusiasm from our community, so we’d like to thank everyone who supported our efforts.
“They helped make it a really enjoyable and memorable day for all involved and they’ve made a difference to a great charity helping members of the fire service family.”
Founded in 1923 as the Widows and Orphans Fund, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Family Support Trust is the oldest fire service charity in the UK and its regular income is generated through donations from serving SFRS employees.
Trustee of the Family Support Trust, Area Manager Hamish McGhie, and charity officer Grace Quigley were delighted to receive a cheque from the rowers at Langholm Fire Station.
Area Manager McGhie said: “The help provided by the Family Support Trust makes a very real difference to people connected to our service when they experience times of need.
“Its support includes bereavement, hardship and Christmas grants to our beneficiaries, a Children’s Investment Trust helping young people who have lost a parent, and a Spanish respite facility providing a chance for much-needed rest and recuperation.
“For the team to cover twice the distance of the English Channel was obviously a huge challenge and on behalf of the trustees I’d like to express our gratitude for their efforts.”
More information on the work of the SFRS Family Support Trust and how you can help is available on its website, www.sfr-familysupport.org.uk.
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