Four firefighters from Herefordshire are pushing themselves to the limit in a series of demanding endurance challenges to raise thousands of pounds.
The team, known as FourFireFighters, consists of Joseph Malsom and Shane Kittner, who serve at Ross-on-Wye Fire Station, alongside Zavierre Gunn and Felix Garret, who are based at Whitchurch Fire Station.
From carrying a 70kg casualty dummy across the Malvern Hills to conquering the National Three Peaks in full fire kit, the FourFireFighters have pushed themselves to the limit. (Image: Honey Paws Studio)
The group launched the fundraising campaign after learning of growing financial pressures facing the Fire Fighters Charity.
So far, the firefighters have raised around £8,500 and are hoping to reach £10,000.
"The Fire Fighters Charity is doing a really good job, but unfortunately it is paying out so much more than it's getting in," said firefighter Joseph Malsom.
"All four of us are quite fit individuals and we thought, why don't we put ourselves through some gruelling challenges to raise money for our fellow firefighters?"
The first challenge saw the team carry a 70kg casualty dummy the full length of the Malvern Hills on April 11.
Wearing full firefighting kit, they covered 9.7 miles, crossed 18 peaks and tackled 2,405ft of ascent while enduring everything from high winds to heavy rain.
"There were a few sketchy bits where the wind was trying to move us off the side of the Malverns," Mr Malsom said.
The FourFirefighters team carried a 70kg casualty dummy across the 18 peaks of the Malvern Hills in their first gruelling challenge back in April. (Image: FourFirefighters)
Challenge two took place on June 20 to mark 52 years of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service. The firefighters cycled 52 miles.
The team then pulled a fire engine 52 metres using harnesses.
"There was a fire engine waiting for us at the end. As if our legs weren't battered enough by that point, we had to pull it 52 metres," said Mr Malsom.
After cycling 52 miles across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the team marked 52 years of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service by pulling a fire engine 52 metres. (Image: Fourfirefighters)
The firefighters then completed perhaps their toughest test yet, the National Three Peaks Challenge, on September 6.
Starting at Ben Nevis, they climbed the UK's three highest mountains before moving on to Scafell Pike and finishing at Snowdon. Carrying breathing apparatus sets and wearing full fire kit, the team completed the challenge in just over 22-and-a-half hours, comfortably inside the traditional 24-hour target.
Zav, Shane and Felix climbed Mount Snowdon September 6 in their full fire kit. (Image: FourFirefighters)
The latest challenge followed the length of the River Wye, beginning in mid-Wales. The firefighters walked nearly 50 miles before reaching Hay-on-Wye and then canoed downstream to Hoarwithy.
"We had enough people telling us we'd never make it," Mr Malsom said. "That was like a red rag to a bull."
The team followed the River Wye from its source in mid-Wales, walking nearly 50 miles before swapping boots for canoes and paddling to Hoarwithy. (Image: Fourfirefighters)
Despite the physical demands and the logistical challenge of balancing training with family life, the group says the effort has been worthwhile.
"Two of us are married with children, so fitting everything in wasn't easy," he said. "But it was a hell of an experience and we want to keep it going with more challenges."
The firefighters say the campaign is also about giving something back to a charity that supports crews through some of the most difficult moments of their careers.
"It helps us sleep at night knowing we're protecting our local communities," Mr Malsom said.
Donations can be made on the firefighters' JustGiving page: Four Firefighters is fundraising for Fire Fighters Charity
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