Firefighters’ charity swim (From Echo)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECHONEWS to 80360, or email us »
Firefighters’ charity swim
9:00am Friday 10th August 2012 in News
Paul Chipperfield, Riccardo La Torre, Dan Kirk and Andy Finlayson, with support crew helpers Sebastian Walley, Shaun White and Lee Vine, and Greg Barsby
A CLOSE-knit bunch of firefighters are to make a big splash for charity by swimming 44 miles to support a brave colleague battling cancer.
Nine superfit officers from Basildon fire station’s white watch will swim the equivalent of Dover to Calais, and back again, to raise money for two charities supported by their “father figure” and fellow firefighter Sid McNally, 48.
He was diagnosed with throat and tongue cancer earlier this year and has been off work for four months to receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The group includes Dan Kirk, 32, Riccardo La Torre, 28, Andy Finlayson, 30, Joe Spencer, 35, Jason Lendon, 37, Paul Chipperfield, 47, Tony Lanni, 46, Steve Ball, 46, and Dave Walpole, 34.
They are hoping to raise £2,000 for the Firefighter’s Charity and Firefighters Aid for Children. Sid fundraises for the two charities and is also one of the founders of the Firefighters Aid for Children.
Mr La Torre said they are training hard to bring their swimming up to scratch. He said: “It’s going to be tough. It’s do-able, but it’ll be hard work.”
Mr Kirk added: “Sid is the father figure of the watch. We have missed him massively.”
The swim is being held on November 2 at Basildon Sporting Village, which has donated the use of the pool free of charge. To donate, visit justgiving.com/whitewatchBasreturnchannelswim or text CHAN48 and the amount you would like to donate to 70070.
