Their plan is to cycle to every fire station in West Yorkshire and to aim to complete this inside 24 moving hours- all to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity. The route will start at Morley and aim to finish at FSHQ and Spen Valley Fire Station. They have split up the route into six stages that are approximately 40-50 miles per stage.
Crew Commander Tom Ells said “There's two reasons behind me planning this challenge- firstly to mark 9/11- personally I remember exactly what I was doing that day, you get people like Ben who weren’t even born then, but 343 firefighters died at one job. 343 people who went to work to help people didn’t go home. I don’t think that should be easily forgotten.
"Secondly we're really keen to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity. In 2024 I fractured my spine and they helped me massively. I always respected the work they did but after the rehab and support they gave me I can't put into words how important it is- they fix broken firefighters.
“I wouldn't say I'm looking forward to the challenge- I'm looking forward to finishing it! It is going to be really hard, but most of the battle is in your head- and I'm hoping the support from colleagues across the service will really help too.”
Meanwhile Ben told us
“I’ve fallen back on some of my old cycling training- I've never done this kind of mileage though so this will be a touch into the unknown. With the thought of raising charity money I’m sure we will do it. 9/11 happened when I was a baby so I have no recollection but I still wanted to honour their sacrifice.
"This ride is a fitting tribute to the people who died, as the Fire Fighters Charity do so much looking after firefighters. They look after our colleagues, our families and are there to support us so it’s our right to go about supporting them.”
To donate to support their challenge click HERE.