A GROUP of Wiltshire firefighters have attempted to cycle through all 24 of Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service’s fire stations in 24 hours for charity.

The 195 mile route saw cyclists leaving from Devizes at noon on Friday (24 July) and returning back shortly before midday the next day.

The group set off in torrential rain which lasted for the first 71 miles of their journey, but they pushed through and completed the circuit.

Organiser Mike Cleaver, an on-call firefighter in Devizes, was one of seven cyclists to complete the whole route.

He said: “The weather was really against us for the first 12 hours, with almost non-stop rain. However, things brightened up on the Saturday morning and we were able to finish ahead of time, which was brilliant.”

“We left Devizes with 18 riders – four rode with us as far as Trowbridge, and six rode as far as Salisbury.

“Sadly, one rider suffered an injury on the way to Amesbury and had to pull out, but we had three new riders join us on the Saturday morning and that meant we were able to do the last quarter of the route as a group of ten.

“With outriders from Moonrakers Motorcycle Club in Devizes, and a back-up team of volunteers from within the Fire Service, the seven of us who managed the whole thing were well supported from start to finish.

“We have had support from a local cycle shop, Roses of Devizes, who loaned us a work stand and gave us lots of spares as well as some tools. Also 5adaybox, a local fruit and veg company, gave us bananas oranges to keep us going between stops.

“Two members of staff from Trowbridge fire station greeted us at Salisbury with a hot meal while Rapid Relief Team came to Stratton fire station at 3am to feed the cyclists and support crews.

“So far the online fundraising page is at just over £1,400 and we have at least £700 of sponsorship from individuals sponsor forms, taking the total just over £2,000 at the moment. This is brilliant considering the original target was £1000.

Money raised by the cyclists through sponsorship and donations will be shared between the Fire Fighters Charity and the Epilepsy Society.

“The Fire Fighters Charity is important to everyone within the Fire and Rescue Service, and the Epilepsy Society is a charity very close to my heart, as my daughter was diagnosed with the condition late last year,” he continued.

To donate to Mike’s fundraising, CLICK HERE