Skip to main contentEnter
Join 8,080+ people who care about this town
Ipswich.co.uk logoSupport our work
News

Local firefighters aim for world records in Ipswich Half Marathon charity challenge

Four Suffolk firefighters are set to attempt three world records at the Ipswich Half Marathon on September 22nd, raising money for charity while running in full firefighting gear.

Why it matters: The firefighters aim to raise £10,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research UK, honouring colleagues who have died from or are living with cancer.

Firefighters George Trott, left, Grant Whitehead, Councillor Steve Wiles, Crew Manager Paul Shattock, and Firefighter Ashley Buxton
Firefighters Ashley Buxton, left, George Trott, Councillor Steve Wiles, Firefighter Grant Whitehead, and Crew Manager Paul Shattock(SFRS)

Key details:

  • Crew Manager Paul Shattock of the Bury St Edmunds station will run in full protective equipment and breathing apparatus, aiming to set a record in a new category.

  • Firefighters Grant Whitehead and George Trott of the Ipswich East station are targeting the record for running a half-marathon in full firefighting kit with breathing apparatus, currently 3 hours 10 minutes.

  • Firefighter Ashley Buxton, also of the Ipswich East station, will run in a physical training kit with a breathing apparatus, aiming to beat the current record of 2 hours and 21 minutes.

By the numbers:

  • Full firefighting kit weighs around 45kg (100lbs)

  • Fully-charged breathing apparatus weighs about 12kg (26lbs)

What they're saying: Sally Hammond, Suffolk Fire and Rescue's group manager: "They have been working so hard for this, these records are tough but with the dedication and training they have put in I am sure they can do it."

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for public protection: "Hats off to these firefighters, they have set themselves a phenomenal challenge and I know they will give it their best shot."

How to help: Donations can be made via the team's Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/team/sfrsworldrecord

You can read it for free thanks to the generous support of Start, Build & Grow and PLMR Genesis

Despite a lack of promotion, the big reveal drew a good crowd of passersby

We're regenerating Ipswich – but we can't do it without you!

People tell us every day that our work matters – that it's making Ipswich better; that it's needed. But our work costs money, and unlike the Ipswich Star, we're not funded by national advertisers or owned by corporate US overlords. For just £4.75 a month, you can help fund our mission to restore pride of place and accelerate the much-needed regeneration of the town we call home.
Become a member →

In other news...

News

From heroin to ketamine: How Suffolk's drug use is changing

Drug consumption habits in Suffolk are shifting, with people moving away from opiates such as heroin and towards cocaine, ketamine and crack – and a new report warns the county is also facing a growing threat from synthetic opioids 500 times stronger than heroin.
byand
Continue reading →
News

Suffolk councillor backs National Year of Reading

A Suffolk County Council cabinet member has pledged her support for the National Year of Reading and visited a local library on World Book Day to join a session for babies and toddlers.
by
Continue reading →
News

Ipswich man charged with murder after woman found dead

An Ipswich man has been charged with murder following the death of a 28-year-old woman whose body was found at a Russet Road address in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
by
Continue reading →
News

Anglia Retail Park to get 24 new EV chargers

Anglia Retail Park is set to nearly triple its electric vehicle charging capacity, with 24 new chargers to be installed alongside the Lidl store.
by
Continue reading →
Load more content
Our journalism is free thanks to
Our journalism is free thanks to
Want our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday?

Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter?

If you haven’t, you really should. You’ll get our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday afternoon, just in time for the weekend. You can unsubscribe at any time, although 99.7% of people don’t.

  • Lee Walker
  • Joe Bailey of Brighten the Corners
  • Mark Hubert
8,080+ people are already loving it