Firefighters from Odsal Blue Watch are gearing up for the Trudy Ramsden Trophy – a charity bike ride in memory of the much-loved fire control operator who lost her life to cancer last year.
Hollyoaks actress Jenny Metcalfe, who plays fiery Mercedes McQueen in the Channel Four soap, has announced she will wave off the crew as they set off on their marathon trip around West Yorkshire’s fire stations at 3pm on Saturday, April 21. She will be happy to sign autographs at the start, at West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service headquarters, and at various fire stations during the ride.
The firefighters plan to stop at all 48 stations in West Yorkshire, cycling through the night and finishing at headquarters the next day. The event will take the form of a relay, with two firefighters cycling at all times, and the remainder of the team forming back-up. Each pair will cycle between 12 and 15 miles each leg of the 250-mile journey.
Entries have been coming in thick and fast from both fire and rescue staff and members of the public for the ‘guess the time’ competition.
Local companies have dug deep into their pockets to offer some fantastic prizes for those guessing the closest time to that in which the firefighters will complete the course.
Prizes such as a helicopter ride, shopping vouchers, mountain bikes, electrical goods and meals are up for grabs. But the top prize is something money can’t buy, as Bradford girl Jenny has offered to take the winner and a friend on a trip around the Hollyoaks set to meet all the cast – and even pay for lunch and travel expenses.
Organiser Richard Hall said: “We have been overwhelmed by the response from local business, staff and members of the public who have offered support.
“None of us are experienced cyclists, but we are training in earnest to complete the course in a respectable time. It will demand real commitment and spirit – qualities Trudy had in abundance.
“What that time will be is anyone’s guess. In fact anyone can submit a guess by visiting their local fire station and paying just £1 and they will be in with a chance of wining one of the prizes. All the money will be going to Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Fire Service’s National Benevolent Fund.”
The hope is that other fire stations and watches will take up the challenge in years to come and try to beat Odsal Blue Watch’s time – hence the need for the Trudy Ramsden Trophy.
Visit www.westyorksfire.gov.uk to find your nearest station.
NOTE: Photographers and reporters are also invited to attend a photocall at the start of the bike ride, when Jenny Metcalfe will wave off the first pair.
Date: Saturday, April 21.
Time: 2.30-2.45pm
Location: Mobilising and Control Centre, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters, Birkenshaw (turn right immediately after entering the main gates. The centre is at the top of the drive).
Photographers will also have the opportunity to take pictures at fire stations throughout the ride. Updates on progress, the location of cyclists and if Jenny will be at your local station can be given by calling Richard Hall during the bike ride on 07932 788653.
For further information contact Kelly Thornham, PR Unit, on 01274 655807 or 655717.
Route
Fire Service HQ, Birkenshaw - START @ 3pm, Saturday, April 21.
Bradford
Idle
Rawdon
Cookridge
Moortown
Gipton
Stanks
Wetherby
Otley
Ilkley
Silsden
Keighley
Bingley
Shipley
Fairweather Green
Illingworth
Howarth
Todmorden
Mytholmroyd
Halifax
Elland
Slaithwaite
Marsden
Meltham
Holmfirth
Huddersfield
Brighouse
Cleckheaton
Batley
Dewsbury
Mirfield
Skelmanthorpe
Ossett
Wakefield
Normanton
Featherstone
Hemsworth
South Elmsall
Knottingley
Pontefract
Castleford
Garforth
Rothwell
Morley
Hunslet
Leeds
Stanningley
Odsal
Fire Service HQ - ENDS @ ?, Sunday, April 22.
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