A group of firefighters are blazing a trail across the county after swapping their fire engine for bicycles to complete a charity bike ride.

Fire Chief Rod Hammerton and 20 firefighting colleagues, support staff and family and friends from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have begun their epic 239 mile bike ride across Shropshire to raise money for Severn Hospice and the Fire Fighters’ Charity.

The team will visit all 23 fire stations in Shropshire in just three days, with the hope of raising significant funds for both charities.

Katy Lowe, who works in fire control, came up with the idea to involve all of the fire stations spread across Shropshire.

Katy said: “We wanted to raise money for local charities that were close to all of our hearts. Lots of people involved in the challenge have been touched by Severn Hospice and the care it provides. We could all relate to what the hospice does and how it helps people in the community at a very difficult time.”

Fire Chief Rod Hammerton said: “It will be a challenge and I am not sure I am looking forward to it. But I am sure the good company and beautiful scenery will carry us all through. My thanks go to the organising team who have spent so much of their own time bringing this all together but I know they were inspired and motivated by doing it for such good causes.”

The tour de Shropshire began on September 22 at 8am at Shrewsbury fire HQ with the group heading to Ludlow for an overnight stop as the cyclists pedal 67 miles via Church Stretton, Much Wenlock, Bridgnorth, and Cleobury Mortimer.

Day two will be a gruelling 97 miles to Whitchurch fire station via Craven Arms, Clun, Bishops Castle, Minsterley, Baschurch, Oswestry, Ellesmere, Wem and Prees.

The final day sees the bikers cycle through Market Drayton, Hodnet, Newport, Albrighton, Tweedale, Telford and Wellington finally arriving back at Shrewsbury fire station – 239 miles later.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved for supporting our hospice and taking on this incredible challenge.

If you would like to support our hospice you can make a donation via the team’s Virgin Money Giving Page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Mainpage or email shropshirefschallenge@gmail.com for more information about supporting the cyclists at a local fire station.