Skip to main contentEnter
Purposeful journalism for people who care about our town
Ipswich.co.uk logoSupport our journalism
News

Ipswich firefighters aim for world records in charity half-marathon

Four local firefighters will attempt to break three world records at the Ipswich Half Marathon next month while raising money for charity.

The big picture: Crew Manager Paul Shattock and firefighters Grant Whitehead, Ashley Buxton, and George Trott will run 13.1 miles on 22 September wearing heavy firefighting equipment. They aim to raise £10,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research.

Why it matters: The challenge honours late colleagues and others in the fire service community affected by cancer.

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

Key details:

  • Paul Shattock will run in full protective gear and breathing apparatus in an effort to set a record in a new category.

  • Grant Whitehead and George Trott are targeting the record for running in full protective equipment and carrying breathing apparatus (currently 3 hours 10 minutes).

  • Ashley Buxton will wear a physical training kit with a breathing apparatus, aiming to beat the current record of 2 hours and 21 minutes.

By the numbers:

  • The full fire kit weighs around 45kg

  • Fully-charged breathing apparatus weighs about 12kg

What they're saying: Paul Shattock: "It's heavy kit and it's going to be tough but we are doing this not just because we want to raise awareness about the fire service and its charity, but in memory of three much-missed friends plus other colleagues from the firefighting family who have been lost to cancer."

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection: "Just running the half-marathon under normal conditions is praiseworthy, but to set themselves the challenge they have is fantastic."

The bottom line: The firefighters hope to bring three new world records to Suffolk while raising funds for two important causes.

How to help: Sponsor the firefighters at www.justgiving.com/team/sfrsworldrecord

Our content is free to read thanks to the generous support of Lanman Solar, Ipswich School and Kingsfleet

The Lanman Group

Lanman Solar

Lanman Solar is an award-winning, fully MCS-accredited sustainable energy company with a 5-star rating on Google. From its offices in Suffolk, it serves businesses and homes across East Anglia.
The Kingsfleet team outside their offices in Claydon, near Ipswich

Spend your time and money as you wish

Award winning, independent financial planners helping the people of Suffolk reach their financial objectives.
News

SEN Santa sessions at Buttermarket this weekend

Santa will turn down the music and limit numbers at the Buttermarket Shopping Centre this weekend after parents asked for calmer festive events for children with special educational needs (SEN).
by
Continue reading →
News

Suffolk researchers test whether singing can treat Parkinson's 'poker face'

Researchers in Suffolk are launching what they believe is the first UK study testing whether musical-theatre-style singing can rehabilitate facial expression in Parkinson's patients – addressing a symptom that affects around 9 in 10 people but has limited treatment options.
by
Continue reading →
News

Woman fighting for life after hit-and-run on Burrell Road

A woman is in a life-threatening condition in hospital after being hit by a car whose driver fled the scene on Burrell Road in Ipswich this morning, with a man in his 30s now arrested in connection with the incident.
by
Continue reading →

Lanman Solar, Ipswich School and Kingsfleet

The Lanman Group

Lanman Solar

Lanman Solar is an award-winning, fully MCS-accredited sustainable energy company with a 5-star rating on Google. From its offices in Suffolk, it serves businesses and homes across East Anglia.
The Kingsfleet team outside their offices in Claydon, near Ipswich

Spend your time and money as you wish

Award winning, independent financial planners helping the people of Suffolk reach their financial objectives.
News

Gym manager's childhood inspires hospital toy appeal

A Martlesham gym manager who spent much of her childhood in hospital has launched a toy appeal that has collected nearly 150 Christmas gifts for young patients at Ipswich Hospital.
by
Continue reading →

Lanman Solar, Ipswich School and Kingsfleet

The Lanman Group

Lanman Solar

Lanman Solar is an award-winning, fully MCS-accredited sustainable energy company with a 5-star rating on Google. From its offices in Suffolk, it serves businesses and homes across East Anglia.
The Kingsfleet team outside their offices in Claydon, near Ipswich

Spend your time and money as you wish

Award winning, independent financial planners helping the people of Suffolk reach their financial objectives.
News

Police appeal for witnesses after Pearl Road burglary

Detectives are investigating a burglary at a home on Pearl Road in Ipswich on Monday evening, where jewellery and bank cards were stolen and used fraudulently.
by
Continue reading →
Load more content
Our content is free to read thanks to
Our content is free to read thanks to
Our content is free to read 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
6,630+ people are already loving it