West Sussex firefighters take on 12-hour challenge for Rustington toddler battling cancer

The team from Blue Watch at Littlehampton Fire Station will be pushing their fitness levels to the limit for two-year-old George Pannell and The Fire Fighters Charity, two causes close to their hearts.

George, from Rustington, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that affects the nerves and glands.

The firefighters aim to crush the well-known CrossFit workout called Murph, which involves a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups and 300 squats, rounded off with another one-mile run. They will work for 12 consecutive hours between them, some while wearing a 10kg weighted vest.

Firefigher Kate Gray said: “When we heard about everything George and his family were going through, we knew we had to do something to help. He has to make regular trips to hospital in Southampton, which can take a real toll on a family.

“This challenge is going to push us to our limits but it’s nothing compared with the battle that this brave little two-year-old has been fighting.

“We will also be raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity, which is a cause incredible close to many of our hearts. The charity provides a real lifeline to both serving and former firefighters and their families. With the outbreak of Covid-19, many of their fundraising events have been cancelled, which puts added stress on their situation. So, we are hoping to raise a decent amount of money for them through the pain we are putting ourselves through.”

The challenge will begin at 7am on Tuesday, August 25, at at Littlehampton Fire Station. Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/blue-watch to make a donation.

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