A GROUP of Aberdeenshire firefighters are to swap their fire engine for a rowing machine to raise money for The Archie Foundation later this month.
A team of nine firefighters from Laurencekirk Community Fire Station are preparing to take on a 24-hour rowing challenge, working in teams to row continuously throughout the day and night from 10am on Friday, March 22.
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The team hopes to raise at least £1,000 for The Archie Foundation, the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, to support its work with babies, children and families across the north of Scotland.
The challenge has been organised by Rob Simpson and his colleagues, including both full-time and retained firefighters who are based on Station Road in Laurencekirk.
“We are preparing to row in pairs for up to three hours a time and will keep going through the night,” he said. “The Archie Foundation is an important charity which is local to us in Aberdeen but it also supports children and families in Tayside and the Highlands. Many of us have children and could find ourselves in need of support from Archie at any time.
“We will be opening the fire station doors to welcome visitors to come in and offer their support and hopefully add a few coins to our fundraising buckets! We hope to raise as much as possible over the 24 hours while challenging ourselves to keep on rowing, even in the wee small hours.”
All the money raised will support babies, children and families at The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, Tayside Children’s Hospital in Dundee and the Highland Children’s Unit in Inverness.
Maisie Mann, fundraising officer at The Archie Foundation, said: “This is a fantastic challenge by the fire service crew and we wish them lots of luck with their fundraiser! Hopefully the local community will get behind them and cheer them on as they clock up the miles on the rowing machine.”
To support the Laurencekirk Community Fire Station’s fundraising challenge, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/24hr-indoor-row
Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation.
