08/09/08 Firefighter Games

Olympic flame re-ignited by countys Fire and Rescue competitors

With the flame of the Olympics fading from memory, Lincolnshire’s Fire and Rescue team have re-ignited a burning desire for victory at the recent World Firefighter Games.

The international tournament was held in England this year with Merseyside Fire and Rescue as the proud hosts. Lincolnshire’s Chief Fire Officer, Mike Thomas, successfully completed the Chief’s Challenge, a 50 mile bike ride from Preston to Liverpool, raising £1000 for The Firefighters Charity.

Meanwhile, Gill O’Leary from Fiskerton, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s Training Office Manager, returned with two gold medals following victories in the Badminton Ladies Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Bardney’s Fiona Bayes, a Fire Control Operator who takes 999 calls, turned her hand to swimming, winning several medals including a gold.

Mike Thomas, Chief Fire Officer for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue (pictured), said:

“I’m really proud of everyone who took part, representing Lincolnshire at the World Firefighter Games.”

“I’d like to thank everyone for helping me towards my target of raising £1000 for the excellent cause of the Firefighters Charity. I’m sore, but by only falling off my bike twice, that was certainly less than some of the other Chiefs and one even fell into the canal!   It was no surprise to see how many Deputy Chiefs sponsored their Chiefs to take part though and this important event will make a difference as the charity strives to support almost 14,000 injured or retired fire personnel or their surviving families.