Newbury firefighter running to all 12 Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service fire stations to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity

A Newbury firefighter is aiming to be the first person to run to all Berkshire fire stations, to raise money for the charity that supported him after he broke his arm in three places in a freak accident.

Martyn Ainsworth will be joined by his friend and fellow firefighter Shaun Foley for the Station2Station challenge.

And it is all about 12 – the event is taking place on May 12, they will run to 12 stations, hope to complete the run within 12 hours and set themselves a fundraising target of £1,200.

Dad-of-two Mr Ainsworth, 36, said he decided to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity after he fell off a skateboard while out with his son, breaking his arm in three places.

And he said 90 per cent of the people he works with have needed to call on its support at some point.

“I had an injury last year and I used The Fire Fighters Charity to full capacity and I feel I owe them some thanks,” Mr Ainsworth said.

“I am trying to do something that hasn’t been done before.

“We are trying to raise funds and be visible, so we’re going pretty much along the A4, which isn’t the most glamorous route.”

The two friends, who grew up together in Swindon, will run a minimum of 58.2 miles or 93.8km during the ultramarathon challenge. Both have completed marathons in the past and run to keep fit for their jobs, but this will be the furthest either has run in one event.

And they have already exceeded their target too, with more than £1,600 raised for the good cause so far.

“The donations have been amazing,” said Mr Ainsworth.

“Some people have done anonymous donations and I wish I could say thank you to them.

“We want to say a massive thanks to everyone for their support.

“Lots of people have helped us in lots of different ways.

“We cannot not cross the line; it’s got to be done now.”

His Red Watch colleagues, Toby Ruck and Jack McDonald, from Newbury, will be the duo’s support crew, providing nutrition and hydration throughout the day.

The two men will embark on the challenge at 7am from Newbury.

They then travel to Theale, Whitley Wood, Wokingham Road, Caversham Road, Wokingham, Bracknell, Ascot, Windsor, Langley and Slough, before finishing in Maidenhead.

“People will be joining us for small part of it too, so we’re bringing people together too,” added Mr Ainsworth. “It’s great for mental health and physical fitness too and we want to encourage anyone to get out there.”

You can still support the two men by adding to their fundraiser here.