Follow That Fire Engine & Help Lung Cancer Research

My colleague at Hotwire PR, Gemma Rowlan, is off tomorrow on an adventure. She is joining her boyfriend to take part in what I consider to be one of the most mad cap but worthwhile charity endeavours I've heard about for a long time. A group of friends are driving a Fire Engine around the world, visiting 28 countries, covering 26,000 miles on 5 continents raising money for three tremendous charities. 


This incredible journey is in memory of London Firefighter Garth Moore, who passed away on 18th July 2009 at the age of 63, after a brave battle with lung cancer. Garth's son Steve is leading the expedition and is being joined by a rota of friends, each of whom is taking time off from work to complete the route and to raise money for the three chosen charities - Macmillan Cancer Support, The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and the Firefighters Charity.


It's a truly incredible journey and one which deserves huge recognition and support. Anyone who has been touched by cancer of any sort, but particularly lung cancer, will know how devastating the disease is. With one of the highest mortality rates of any type of cancer, the more money that can be raised to fund support for sufferers and to invest into research has to be the right thing. And of course we all respect and admire our Firemen and women so it's only fitting this is the third charity that will benefit from Steve's dedication.   


To date the team has raised over £87,000 pounds which a tremendous achievement. And it's worth noting that 100% of all money donated goes directly to the charities thanks in no small part to an amazing group of commercial sponsors who are supporting the trip. 


So I take my hat off to Steve and his crew. The team is now making its way across the US and judging by the reports on the website, are well on track to achieve this amazing endeavour. Good luck to them all and good luck to Gemma as she joins the fire engine.


Please visit the www.followthatfireengine.com and donate generously at Virgin Giving (click the link) to help these guys raise the maximum amount possible.