Firefighters ‘Chase the Sun’ for Cycle Challenge

A team of cyclists from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will be taking part in an annual cycle challenge this summer, to honour a former firefighter who tragically passed away whilst on duty in August 2016 - something they have done ever since.

The team of 13 firefighters will join hundreds of other cyclists in a coast to coast cycle challenge called ‘Chase the Sun’, which sees riders set off at sunrise and arrive at their destination by sunset.

Taking part in the ‘Chase the Sun’ challenge was originally suggested by former Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service firefighter, Paul ‘TL’ Wilkens, a keen cyclist and part of the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Cycling Club (LFRS CC).

Sadly, Paul never got to take part in ‘Chase the Sun’, which he hoped would have been the teams annual challenge. In memory of Paul, his colleagues which included his brother Simon, friends and cycle team mates successfully took part in their first ‘Chase the Sun’ challenge, the year after Paul passed away.

Keeping up with the tradition the team completed a further ‘Chase the Cheddar’ event last year, cycling from Hinckley to Cheddar Gorge, before cycling to Burnham on Sea to support a colleague taking part in ‘Chase the Sun’. Over this weekend, the team cycled a massive 320 miles – another great achievement.

This year, on Saturday 22 June the team will be cycling from Tynemouth in Tyne and Wear, to Prestwick in Scotland. Cycling 200 miles from Northern England to Scotland, the challenge will take them approximately 12-14 hours continuous riding to complete. Setting off at dawn, the team will be tackling 3,200 metres of hills along the way before arriving in Scotland at dusk.

“We hope that in doing this event the whole of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will all remember Paul by doing/supporting something he thoroughly enjoyed.”

The team will not only be riding in Paul ‘TL’ Wilken’s memory, but they will also be riding to raise money for two charities, The Fire Fighters Charity and The Laura Centre.

The Fire Fighters Charity provides physical, mental health and social wellbeing support to past and present members of the fire service community. www.firefighterscharity.org.uk

The Laura Centre, have supported Paul's family through the difficult period after their tragic loss, they provide bereavement support to anyone who has lost a child or for children and young people who have lost a parent, carer or significant adult in their lives. www.thelauracentre.org.uk

In preparation for the ‘Chase the Sun’, the team will being doing a static bike ride to further raise money for the charities. On Saturday 8 June, they will be attempting to cycling the equivalent of 200 miles at Asda, Thurmaston.

We are hoping for as many supporters/donations as possible throughout the two challenges, in order to help us raise as much money as possible for the chosen charities.

If you would like to support the team and their chosen charities, you can do so on here or on our "text giving" service by texting "Fire £2" to 70660

All we are asking for is a "Penny a mile".

please can we ask that once you have donated that you share this on social media. Thanks

You can keep up-to-date with the teams progress via our social media channels, Facebook (/LeicsFireRescue)(@lfrscc) and Twitter (@LeicsFireRescue), using the hashtag #ChaseTheSun.

For more information about the ‘Chase the Sun’ challenge, visit www.chasethesun.org