Suffolk firefighters to carry ladder 13 miles around Ipswich for charity
They're taking part in the Ipswich Half Marathon today
A team from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will tackle the Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon today ( Sunday, 27 September) to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity.
It follows a challenge at last year's event which saw colleagues complete the course while carrying a stretcher loaded with a weighted rescue dummy.
This time, the team will carry a fire service ladder, with around seven or eight participants also expected to complete the challenge wearing firefighting kit.
Crew Manager Tony Watson, from Stowmarket Fire Station, said around 25 people were expected to take part, including firefighters as well as friends and family members working in the RAF and NHS.
He said: “So a bit of joint service teamwork.”
Chief Fire Officer Jon Lacey is also due to take part.
Four people needed to carry ladder
The challenge will require four people to carry the ladder at any one time, with the team swapping throughout the half marathon.
Mr Watson said the service's workshops had adapted the ladder by adding handles to make it easier to carry.
But he said keeping four runners moving together could still prove difficult.
He said: “Sometimes it can be a bit awkward because you have to make sure that you're all in the same step.”
The idea follows last year's stretcher challenge, with the team looking for a different way to test themselves in 2026.
Mr Watson joked that another option had been considered.
“We did want to try and pull the fire engine, but I don't think the course is quite built for us to pull a fire engine this year, maybe next year.”
Firefighters training around Ipswich
Members of the team have been carrying out training runs around Ipswich in preparation for Sunday's event.
Mr Watson said some members of the public had even joined firefighters while they were training, with several subsequently recruited to run alongside the team on the day.
Although some participants will wear firefighting clothing, Mr Watson said they would use lighter wildfire kit rather than the operational kit normally worn by crews attending incidents.
Despite the physical challenge, he said the motivation behind it remained fundraising.
“It's a challenge. But the thing that you've got to think about is no matter what, we're doing it to try and raise money for the Firefighters Charity.
“So that's the most important thing. So we can put a bit of pain out behind us because we're doing it for a good cause again.”
Supporting the fire service community
The team is raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity, which supports serving and retired members of the fire and rescue service community and their families.
SFRS says the charity provides physical, mental and practical support, including help for people recovering after difficult periods.
Mr Watson said he had not personally needed to use the charity but knew others who had.
He said: “I do know people that have and they provide an excellent, excellent service.”
He described the physical and psychological demands faced by firefighters as part of the reason the team wanted to raise money.
“More and more people are using the Firefighters Charity now, especially with a lot of the trauma that firefighters see on a daily basis and the physical demands on being a firefighter also.”
Mr Watson said people needing rehabilitation following an injury could also receive specialist support through the charity, which he said could help firefighters return to operational duties.
Team hopes to raise at least £1,500
The team is aiming to raise around £1,500, although Mr Watson said he hoped the final total would be significantly higher.
Chief Fire Officer Jon Lacey said in a statement that the challenge would not be easy, but described the Fire Fighters Charity as a cause which had “touched the lives of many people in our fire service family”.
He said: “Last year's challenge showed just how determined and supportive our people are, and I know this year's team will be just as committed. Carrying a 30kg ladder round a half marathon certainly won't be easy, but that's all part of the challenge.
“I'm looking forward to taking part alongside my colleagues, and we'd be very grateful for any support people can give, whether that's making a donation or cheering the team on around the course.”
Mr Watson said the atmosphere generated by spectators and other runners was one of the highlights of last year's event.
He added: “It's just an absolutely fantastic day and lots of money raised for lots of great, worthy charities.”