On April 19th, the four of us myself, James, Tom and Toby all firefighters from the London Fire Brigade will set off on a challenge that goes far beyond the physical miles ahead.

We’ll be cycling from Bromley Fire Station to Inverness Castle in Scotland, covering 600 miles over six days. Once we arrive, we’ll take on one final push, a 66-mile ride around Loch Ness as part of the Etape Loch Ness event.

We’re doing this not only to test ourselves, but to stand for something bigger.

Firefighters face risks that go well beyond the fires we attend. Increasingly, there is growing awareness around the prevalence of cancer within the fire service, a reality many of us have seen affect colleagues, friends, and the wider firefighting community.

This challenge is about, raising awareness, and doing what we can to make a difference.

It is also deeply personal to us. We’re riding in honour of our friend and colleague, George Cherry, a much-loved firefighter who dedicated 28 years of service, and someone who embodies the very best of the Brigade, he’s the kind of person who makes a lasting mark on everyone he meets. Like too many in our profession, he is now facing his own battle with cancer.

After speaking with his family, we’ve chosen to support Fire Fighters Charity, an organisation that provides vital care, recovery support, and wellbeing services to firefighters and their families across the UK.

We’ll push through every mile, every climb, and every tough moment with purpose, because this ride represents far more than just a finish line.

If you’re able to support us, please donate whatever you can. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps raise awareness and supports those who have given so much in service to others.

Thank you for your support.