THREE Radnorshire fire stations have teamed up to take on a 24-hour virtual relay challenge next month and raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity.

Firefighters at Presteigne, Knighton and Kington stations will take on various sporting and fitness challenges over a 24-hour period on Friday, October 2, while they will also be holding a car wash in Knighton on Saturday, October 3, from 9am.

The event will be a 24-hour relay with a firefighter or officer doing an hour of exercise each. Some firefighters might double up and do an extra hour.

Presteigne firefighter Doug Preece came up with the plan but due to there only being 11 personnel at the station, he thought it would be a good idea to team up with colleagues at their neighbouring stations too.

“I’m treasurer at Presteigne and I’ve always been involved with charity and fundraising events like this,” said Doug.

“You can either run, walk, cycle, row, swim or whatever else you feel like doing in order to take part virtually. I’ll be cycling from Presteigne to Knighton then on to Kington which is about 14 miles and I’ll get to visit all three stations.”

Doug admitted the challenge carries a little extra significance during the current Covid-19 pandemic as events like this would normally engage the whole community, while it gives him and his colleagues something exciting to look forward to.

“It’s giving everyone involved some sort of purpose and something to be excited about during strange times,” added the 51-year-old, who has given 15 years’ service in Presteigne.

“Normally for something like this you’d have a big group and go around town promoting it and raising money, going round the pubs and shops drumming up support and gaining a lot of interest.

“Now it’s difficult to do that, but it’s probably more important to keep thinking of ideas because these are such hard, difficult times where you don’t get to go out and about as much.

“It’s definitely given us as crew members a lift and a way to be active.

“The Fire Fighters Charity is also a great cause, you never know when you’ll need the fire service and the charity needs all the help it can get at this time.”

The relay will begin at 5pm on Friday while the car wash will be held at Knighton’s Community Centre Car Park from 9am-1pm on the Saturday.

Doug and his colleagues have set up a JustGiving page with the aim of raising £1,250, which you can donate to by following the link https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/douglas-preece