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Firefighters ‘Chase the Sun’ Cycle Challenge

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

The team of 8 firefighters will join hundreds of other cyclists in a coast-to-coast cycle challenge called ‘Chase the Sun’, which will see 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’, as he sadly passed away whilst on duty at Castle Donington Station in August 2016.

In memory of Paul, his colleagues - which include 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, 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. In 2019, a team from LFRS CC completed the North route of ‘Chase the Sun’, cycling 200 miles from Whitley Bay to Ayr.

This year, on Saturday 18 June, the team will be cycling from Belfast in Northern Ireland, to Enniscrone in Southern Ireland. Cycling just over 200 miles, the challenge will take them 12-14 hours of continuous riding to complete. Starting at sunrise at the historic Titanic docks at Belfast, the team will tackle 3,400 metres of hills before arriving at Enniscrone on the Atlantic Coast by sunset.

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

The team will not only be riding in Paul ‘TL’ Wilkens’ memory, but they will also be riding to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity. The charity offers specialist, lifelong support for members of the UK fire services community, empowering individuals to achieve mental, physical and social wellbeing throughout their lives.

Donations will be hugely appreciated, but even if you can’t donate, please share the challenge on social media to help us gain publicity and get the word out there.

This year, we have made it different. We want to give something back for your generous support. 

We have been able to secure donations to run a prize draw – so not only are you supporting us, but you have the chance to win one of two prizes.

 Thanks to Hunt bike Wheels who have generously donated a prize – an online voucher for the value of £500! (www.huntbikewheels.com). There will also be the chance to win an Oculus Quest 2 Headset (www.oculus.com/quest-2) Kindly donated by rivr.uk. 

For each multiple of £5 which is donated, you will be entered into a prize draw to win an Oculus Quest 2 headset (e.g £5 is one entry, £20 is four entries). When entering, please select that you are happy for JustGiving to share your contact details with the organiser. Your details will be safely stored and will only be accessed to notify you if you are a winner. 

The tickets are virtual, so you wont receive a physical ticket. we are able to extract the data from just giving. Once the page is closed we will then draw TWO names at random and will get in touch with the winners.

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

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