Firefighters’ Station2Station ultramarathon challenge raises vital funds for The Fire Fighters Charity

A Newbury firefighter has become the first person to run to all Berkshire fire stations in one go.

Martyn Ainsworth, who is based at Newbury Fire Station, took on the challenge earlier this month with his colleague from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Shaun Foley.

They were raising money and awareness of the charity that supported him after he broke his arm in three places in a freak accident.

The two men, who have been friends since childhood, had planned to make the Station2Station challenge for The Fire Fighters Charity, all about 12 – the event took place on May 12, they ran to 12 stations, had hoped to complete the run within 12 hours and set themselves a fundraising target of £1,200.

But they exceeded their own expectations, finishing the ultramarathon in a staggering nine hours and 40 minutes - running a total of 92.88km in well under their 12 hour target.

They’ve also smashed their fundraising target, with £3,400 raised so far.

“We managed to maintain a comfortable 6 minute 15 second average per kilometre across the entire distance,” Mr Ainsworth said.

“It was extremely hot and humid throughout the ultramarathon, which hindered us at times but our support team consisting of Toby Ruck and Jack McDonald [Mr Ainsworth’s Red Watch colleagues] were invaluable and looked after us throughout at each and every stage.

“We had amazing support upon arriving at the fire stations with guards of honour at some, which was great for morale.

“We had residents of the communities we were running through showing support and making donations which is what it was all about.”

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.

Both men had completed marathons in the past and run to keep fit for their jobs, but this was the toughest challenge either of them had ever taken on.

“The donations have been amazing,” added 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.”

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

The challenge took them from Newbury to Theale, Whitley Wood, Wokingham Road, Caversham Road, Wokingham, Bracknell, Ascot, Windsor, Langley and Slough, before finishing in Maidenhead.