Date: 9th September, 2020
A team of cyclists from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will be tackling a 155 mile challenge on Thursday 17 September to raise money for the charity DKMS.
The ‘Ride 4 Guy’ will go from Lyme Regis fire station to Cricklade fire station – the two furthest points of the Service area – in just one day.
DKMS provide donor kits for potential stem cell donors, with each one costing £40. The charity is being supported by firefighters after Watch Manager Guy Tadman from Trowbridge fire station was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia last November. He is now in recovery, having received a stem cell donation from his son in April.
‘Ride 4 Guy’ is being organised by Crew Manager Mike Cleaver from Devizes fire station, whose day job as a member of the Supplies team bases him at Trowbridge. The event was originally due to be held on 1 May but had to be postponed because of Covid 19.
Mike said: “Although Guy was able to get his stem cell donation from family, many people are reliant on the national register, so we want to do this in Guy’s name to support DKMS and hopefully help others facing the same challenge as him.”
The ride will set off from Lyme Regis at 6am and the aim is to get to Cricklade within 12-13 hours, with stops at Poole, Salisbury and Trowbridge fire stations. Around a dozen cyclists are taking part, some just doing the leg local to them and others aiming to do the whole challenge.
To donate to the team’s fundraising, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/Ride4Guy – to register as a stem cell donor, visit the DKMS website at www.dkms.org.uk