Firefighters break out of jail...for charity

As of 3.30pm today (Friday) Newbury firefighter, Daniel Lawton, and his friend Richard Knight reached Southampton

A NEWBURY firefighter has broken out from jail this morning (Friday) and is currently on the run in West Berkshire.

Daniel Lawton and his friend Richard Knight, who are both aged 36 and who both live in Didcot, broke out from Newbury Police Station at about 11.25am with the aim of getting as far away from Newbury as possible in 48 hours with no money, no food and no plans for a place to stay.

The pair are taking part in the prison break challenge to raise money for The Firefighters Charity and Help for Heroes.

The duo, who are both firefighters based in Newbury and Didcot respectively, have got their passports on them in case they manage to get abroad, but Mr Lawton said they did not know what to expect.

He said: “We are trying to do this as cheaply as possible.

“We would love to get to Afghanistan, or failing that somewhere hot for a couple of days, but we don't really know where we are going and we are literally on the run.”

Mr Lawton added that the pair would try and get to Chieveley services initially, before perhaps trying to get to Southampton Docks to catch a boat abroad.

Since September, Mr Lawton has been doing at least one fundraising event each month, including the Newbury Triathlon, the Three Peaks challenge, the New York Marathon and a 5k Santa Race in Didcot and he has raised about £5,500 of his £20,000 target so far.

Future events include white water rafting, the Brighton Marathon, the London Marathon and the Great North Run.

*Update*

By 3.30pm today (Friday) the firefighters reached Southampton.

Daniel Lawton and Richard Knight caught a passing mini-bus earlier today.

After arriving at West Quay shopping centre, the pair were given a free lunch at Harry Ramsdens and two free coffees.

Mr Lawton said that he wanted to thank everyone who had helped and supported them so far.

He said: "The support has been fantastic."

They are now planning on catching a boat to the Isle of Wight this evening before working out their next move from there.

The duo have got their passports on them in case they manage to make it out of the country.

Log back on to Newburytoday.co.uk throughout the weekend to keep up to date with their progress.

To follow the pair's progress, click on the first link below and to donate to the cause, click on the second link to Mr Lawton's donation page below.

Watch this space to find out where they ended up.

As of 3.30pm on Friday the blog received 80 hits.