The On The Run team will be tackling the gruelling 26-mile route, on behalf of charities close to their hearts; The Fire Fighters Charity, Parkinsons UK and type one diabetes charity JDRF.
The team, made up of firefighters Pete Larcombe, Rich Green, Keith Burton and Matt Hooper, first landed on the idea when they were on the same watch at St Mary’s Fire Station.
The plan was temporarily parked as the event was postponed due to the pandemic, with Keith now based at Hightown and Rich at Andover fire station.
Having been unable to run together during lockdown, the four crew members have practiced solo and are now preparing to get their ‘truck’ back on the run and cross the finish line on Sunday, with the aim of raising £10,000 through the event, having recently completed the Southampton Half Marathon.
Crew Manager Larcombe said:
“I had run the marathon before and I always said if I did it again I would do it in a silly costume, not worry about my time and just enjoy the day and the crowd.
“I started to talk to friends in the service and we had seen people running in single file as a fire engine and we were like: ‘That is not a fire engine!’
“It has taken three months from concept to finished product. Our jaws all hit the floor after we had the fabric put on.”
Following his dad’s diagnosis with the disease at the age of 60, Pete is running for Parkinsons UK, whilst Keith is fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) after his daughter Sophia was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 14 months old.
Rich and Matt will be representing The Fire Fighter’s Charity who support more than 5,000 fire service personnel each year who have been physically or psychologically impacted by their work.
Most of the building work was undertaken by experienced plumber Matt, who used plastic plumbing piping to build the frame of the costume. The rest of the team also contributed to the build and have been supported by local businesses including Zillwoods Sign Makers, Stalwart Products, Wellington Signs & Designs and First Aid Southampton.
There is a long history of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service colleagues taking part in the marathon, and of incredible fundraising efforts.
You can support the crew by donating to their individual fundraising pages site – https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/peter.larcombe-OnTheRun2020
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ontherunvlm2020
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/richard-green-SAVMLMBONDS3332019-154257
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matt-hooper1773
