Shoreham firefighters help mum to fund her bucket list

Debby Sadler, 60, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on July 31. Her cancer has spread to her liver and, in August, she was told she had three to six months to live.

Tackling the diagnosis head on, Debby, who lives in Hastings, drew up a list of things that she would like achieve.

Son David Mayfield, who serves as a retained firefighter in Shoreham, as well as a wholetime firefighter with London Fire Brigade at Norbury Fire Station, wanted to make sure she had the money to fulfil her dreams, so he embarked on a fundraising trek from Shoreham to Brighton, carrying a 13.5m ladder.

He was joined by colleagues from London Fire Brigade and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, who helped him carry the 100kg ladder along the 10-mile route.

David said: “I was completely taken aback by how much support we received, not just from my crew in London and the retained at Shoreham who came to complete the walk with me, but by all the people who came out to wave us along our way and donate.

“On a personal level, it was very emotional seeing all those people outside Shoreham Fire Station when we set off. And then arriving into Brighton at the pier, where Mum was waiting, was really quite special.

“She was incredibly thankful that everyone had gone to such effort for her. So far, her bucket list includes things like an afternoon tea out and getting her first tattoo.

“But equally we wanted to support The Fire Fighters Charity as well. This is a cause close to many people’s hearts, they provide such a vital service to both serving and former firefighters and their families. It is important that their work is able to continue.”

Visit www.gofundme.com/f/24kgapowpc for more information.